Firefighters from West Mead #1 and #2, East Mead, and Blooming Valley gathered Tuesday at Saegertown Volunteer Fire Department to train in Saegertown’s burn trailer. Captain Steve Harvey organized firefighters into three teams to combine more experienced members with newer recruits. The teams also mingled firefighters from the four departments.

The three teams took turns on fire attack, advancing an 1 3/4″ hoseline into the trailer. Saegertown’s Assistant Chief BJ Fleischer controlled the scenario with computerized controls that fired propane jets into the container. Another team backed up the primary line with a second handline. The third team practiced vertical ventilation, raising an extension ladder and bringing the necessary tools to the trailer’s roof.

After the teams rotated through those evolutions, the trailer was cooled, vented, and reconfigured for a search scenario. Firefighters entered the trailer in pairs looking for a downed firefighter. They navigated through several obstacles and radioed command when the firefighter—sections of hose wrapped in fire gear—was located. The firefighter mannequin was extricated through a window opening and down a ladder.

West Mead #1 thanks the mutual aid departments that joined the training session and Saegertown Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their burn trailer.