Ideally, Chester Township firefighters undergo training exercises each shift they work, said Fire Chief John Wargelin.
But, on June 2, they donned their full gear and trained in a dark, hot, stuffy cramped, two-story trailer with unseen hazards that could test even the meddle of men and women who chose fire/rescue as their career.
Joining them were firefighters from Munson and Gates Mills, communities they often work with because of an automatic mutual aid system.
Firefighters from these three communities were also trying out their new self-contained breathing apparatus, or air packs, in extreme conditions. The three communities obtained the new SCBAs from a FEMA grant they jointly applied for and received.
“In a city department, there may be 10 people working on a shift who respond to a house fire,” Wargelin said. “Here, we might only have three. When a call comes in, especially in Geauga County, the next closest community’s fire department is also called out automatically. That makes it important for us to train together. They may have to use our gear, which could be different from theirs.”
The lower floor of the specially designed training unit has a tiny kitchen, bedroom and bathroom providing experience in searching and rescuing house fire victims. But, the top level was fraught with dangers for the firefighter, such as holes in the floor, black-out conditions, sudden step downs and a spider web of wires to catch on their gear and ensnare them.
“Their only way out when this happens is to remove their air packs and untangle themselves, which is difficult to do in a dark, smoky, burning building where debris may have fallen around them creating a very tight space,” Wargelin explained. “These are hazards firefighters can encounter that put our lives in danger. We have a responsibility to rescue residents, but we also have a responsibility to keep our firefighters as safe as possible.”
On site was a separate trailer for rehab to treat firefighters who may become overheated during the training exercise.
“We plan for the worst and hope for the best of circumstances,” added Lt. Andy Nagy.
Wargelin said the new equipment improves firefighter safety.
“Thermal imaging cameras that help us to see inside a dark and smoke-filled structure used to be large and bulky,” he explained. “Now, they are small and more portable and some helmets have it built in, freeing up the firefighter’s hands.”
Training, however, remains a key component of safety.
“This type of training is more life-like,” Munson firefighter John Farley said. “It’s important to do with new equipment.”
“It’s also important to train with other departments and build that level of trust you need in dangerous conditions,” Munson firefighter Ian Osborn added. “Having the same equipment and training is invaluable.”
Chester currently employs 40 part-time firefighters, which the chief admitted is a lot of people to train.
“I am the only full-time employee,” he added. “I can see a time when we may have to consider making some positions full time, as they did in Bainbridge, where five full-time positions were added. As larger cities are cutting back on employees, there are fewer young people entering the field. Historically, we have benefited from hiring part-time firefighters who have full-time positions in other communities.”
