CANTON — Chief Charles Doody is pleased to share that Canton firefighters recently completed live fire training.
On Monday, Oct. 25 the Canton Fire Department conducted Live Fire and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training at the Fall River Fire Department’s live burn building.
Instructors from both the Canton and Fall River Fire Departments conducted a variety of training scenarios with Canton firefighters, including hose line advancement, direct and indirect fire attack, roof ventilation, ladder placement and entering over a ladder, and search and rescue of trapped occupants.
Fire crews also drilled on a “downed firefighter” scenario. The drill, called a “May Day” drill, simulated a firefighter falling through a roof and requiring rescue. Once a May Day call is received, teams of firefighters, called Rapid Intervention Teams, mobilize to locate and remove the incapacitated firefighter. They search in a zero visibility environment to find the downed firefighter, provide breathing air to the firefighter once located and utilize specific rescue techniques in order to quickly remove the firefighter from the building.
The funding for the training was provided through an earmark sponsored by Sen. Walter Timilty and Rep. Bill Galvin and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
“The May Day drill is one of the most important training scenarios firefighters complete, and being able to conduct that drill, as well as practice other fundamental skills in a realistic structure is an incredibly valuable way for our firefighters to train,” Chief Doody said. “I would like to thank the Fall River Fire Department and their instructors for working with us and allowing us the use of their building, and Sen. Timilty and Rep. Galvin for their support of the funding for this training.”
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