Local firefighters receive national training

Jeremy Robshaw, St. Johns County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, informed local Historic City News reporters today that four firefighters recently Indianapolis, Indiana, where they participated in an advanced training class on Truck Company Operations.

Lt. Isaac Frazier, Lt. Jeff Mrwik, FF Chris Naff and FF Tommy Orr picked this course due to the high quality of instructors and many training networks dedicated to this course.

The local officers joined firefighters from departments across the nation for this advanced level program that teaches experienced fire personnel how to effectively and efficiently perform the functions generally associated with truck companies under live fire conditions.

The instructing staff was composed of officers from departments such as FDNY, Indy Fire, Boston Fire and Charlotte Fire Department, just to name a few.

Truck companies are often tasked with a wide variety of jobs at a structural fire — all of which are essential to a successful outcome.

Not surprisingly though, on many fire-grounds there are a very limited number of truck companies.

Participants learned that “truck work” is about the skills, not the vehicle. Even if you operate with no “ladder truck”, the truck-related tasks still must be performed and are usually essential to having a successful outcome at a structure fire.

The curriculum consisted of classroom training mixed with numerous live fire drills; utilizing advanced tactics and procedures.

Participants trained in all types of environments such as a flashover simulator, high level ventilation, search, ladders and forcible entry.

Overall this class offered many valuable training opportunities and showed the importance of performing correctly the “truck company” tasks and skills.