Training Operations: Drafting

Today the crew trained on setting up and operating a portable draft tank. These tanks are used in conjunction with our Water Tenders to supply water to a pumper truck in areas where there are no fire hydrants. Our Largest Water Tender, #621 carries 3500 gallons, and is set up for one person operations. Everything can be operated within the cab, and video cameras provide visibility for the driver. These photos show the crew setting up for the drafting operation utilizing Tender #621, and it's smaller cousin, Tender #622.

Highlights from Thursday's Live Training...

Thursdays' training consisted of a live burn simulating a typical vehicle fire. Crews practiced safe approaches and fire attack methods to avoid danger zones created by airbags and struts. During a vehicle fire these can become deadly projectiles.

Training Announcement

Training on the new Rescue truck is scheduled for Saturday, the 9th of January. It is to begin at 09:00 AM.

A meeting is scheduled at 7:00 PM on the 12th of January to plan for the HRVFD 50th Anniversary celebration. Please try to attend.

Sierra Blanca Fire Academy

The annual Sierra Blanca Wildland Fire Academy in Ruidoso is scheduled for the first week of February. If you are interested in going contact Chief Klaene. Class expenses are normally covered by the department for members.

You can see the training schedule at this link:

http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/administrative/training/training.htm

Training Reminder

We have scheduled training this Saturday the 21st, at the Pineywoods Fire Station at 09:00. The topic will be driving and operating the new pumper, Engine #612. All personnel are encouraged to attend.

Training Reminder: Thursday 22nd

We will be conducting training on Thursday at approx 6:30 pm. The topic will be Vehicle Firefighting. Specifically, it will be a classroom session concerning the dangers presented by modern vehicles and how time tested tactics need to be re-visited for our own safety in most cases. Updated basic tactics for combatting vehicles fires will be discussed.

For further info please contact the Fire Chief.

Training Announcement : October

The month of October is a busy one for us here in the department.

The schedule looks like this:

1. 10-13-- 7 pm Cloudcroft VFD -- Patient handling training. (optional intra-department training).

2. Oct 10th - 11 am Fire Prevention Week Parade and Muster in Cloudcroft --county wide demos.

3. Oct 8th - Fire Prevention at High Rolls Elementary School --meet Main Station at 0830 am.

4. Oct 22 - 6:30 pm Vehicle fire training at the Main Station. (monthly scheduled training).

5. Oct 30 and 31st - Haz Mat Training at Main Station (must be registered!)

6. Introduction to Firefighting class set to begin. No date announced yet. Contact us for further info.

Vehicle Rescue Training

On Tuesday, the 22nd of September, High Rolls Fire and EMS conducted a rescue exercise simulating a wreck with two patients, one patient pinned under the burning car. The fire was extinguished and the car was lifted with rescue struts to extricate the pinned patient.

Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations Class

From the Fire Chief:

Sue D. has made arrangements with the Fire Academy to put on a Hazmat Awareness/Operations class locally. Discussion on dates, everyone agreed on Oct. 31st-Nov. 1st, and Nov. 7th-8th. Classes will be held at High Rolls VFD. Prospective students need to file an application with the State Fire Academy by Sept. 30th.
if you want to attend this (actually required for FF1 certification) and don't know how to apply let me know and I'll help you

Contact Chief Klaene for further info.

*Note from High Rolls 603* This class is HIGHLY recommended for all personnel. An example where this would come in handy would be for an incident involving a spill, such as diking spilled saddle tanks on a semi-truck. This is a common occurence, that is considered an Operations Level response. In order to perform this type of work, we are technically required to hold these certifications. Instances have arisen where this could become an issue and we could be held liable.

At the very least, we should all maintain Awareness level certifications.

Upcoming Training: September 22nd

We have scheduled training for all members on 22nd of September. It is planned to consist of an auto extrication/fire scenario.

Forcible Entry Training

Here are some shots of Tuesday night's Forcible entry class. Different techniques were practiced utilizing a varied selection of locks and a donated training building.

Training Announcement: Tuesday, August 11th

Scheduled training on Forcible Entry is to be conducted for HRFD members on August 11th, around 6:30 pm. Training location to be determined (possibly at the Pineywoods Station).

Vehicle Rescue Training

High Rolls Fire conducted vehicle rescue training Thursday Night. This training simulated an overturned vehicle with a passenger needing extrication. The crew practiced stabilizing the vehicle for entry and lifting the vehicle to remove a trapped patient underneath.

Training Reminder

General Announcement to all members...

There will be training on deployment of the new FIT-5 initial attack device at the Otero County Fire Training Ground on Highway 70 tomorrow night. We will need at least one pumper and a crew of 4 with structural firefighting gear. Anyone who wishes to attend should be at the training grounds prior to 5:30pm or should make arrangements to catch a ride down the mountain to attend.

July Training: FIT-5 Interior Attack

The manufacturer's representative for the FIT-5 units will be in our area to conduct training on July 15th, 2009. This training is scheduled to be conducted at the Otero County fire training facility on Hwy 70 , west of Alamogordo. This training coincides with the scheduled meeting of the Otero County Firefighter's Association, which begins at 8 pm. Members from other fire department's and agencies are invited to observe.

Members, we will need at least four personnel with full structural PPE in order to conduct this training/demo. As many personnel who can attend the better. Please let the Fire Chief know if you plan to attend. We will need one engine (610 or 614) and four personnel with PPE to be there by 5:30pm to get set up for the night's training. We will also need someone to document the training with pictures or video.

Mental Exercise #1

How would you handle this situation...

How would you lift this load off the driver? What options are available? Is the crane the only option? How would we handle this if it occurred 15 minutes from now in our district?

Training Announcement

Training is scheduled for Tuesday, 8th June, at the Main station. The topic will be basic Wildland Fire skills.

Highlights of Training at Pineywoods

Training was completed at the Pineywoods Substation today. The crew went over Forward and reverse lays, and the differences between Class "A" and Gel foam. These foams are used extensively for wild-land fire protection, and are something the crews need to be thoroughly familiar with. Gel type foam is normally used to protect houses and structures from being over-run by an advancing wildfire.

A small structural fire attack scenario was also performed. At some point in the future, a live burn is planned for this training building.





Flame Impingement Test...
52 seconds with no foam protection.


52 seconds with blanket of Gel Foam

Department Training Notice...

The High Rolls Fire Department will be conducting training this Saturday, May 9th. This training is part of a series of Wildland Interface protection and will occur in the Pineywoods area. Members are advised to have their Wildland Fire gear ready and to expect the exercise to commence around 08:30.