West Mead #1 had a busy month of March training our firefighters and medical response personnel to better serve the area. Firefighters developed survival skills needed for emergency bailout techniques on March 12. This training focused on developing the body movements needed to exit a window in an emergency situation. Members practiced the hang and drop along with inserting a tool into a wall. The tool in the wall method is used with a personal escape rope firefighters carry in their turnout gear. The hang and drop allows firefighters to lower themselves through the window in a controlled fashion and hanging prior to letting go of the window. This limits the amount of free fall time a firefighter will experience. Both of these maneuvers are considered last chance exits and involve a high likelihood of personal injury. Therefore training began with a review of fire behavior and situational awareness.

On March 19th, 19 members of West Mead#1 trained and were recertified in CPR/AED operations.

17 members took part in a Hazardous Materials Operations Refresher on March 25th and 26th. Students spent the two nights going through common hazardous material incidents/evolutions. West Mead #1 members completed rescue, decontamination, and diverting/damming evolutions. Class ended on late Tuesday evening with a written test.

Thank you, firefighters, for committing this time to training.