On consecutive Sundays, October 14, 21 and 28, volunteers from the Southold and Jamesport Fire Departments will have participated in five Heavy Rescue Training Classes at the SFD sub-station. These classes are designed to familiarize firefighters and rescue squad teams with extreme extrication procedures, tools and safety measures. We had the opportunity to practice these skills on cars courtesy of Carmine, using many, if not all of the tools in the SFD arsenal. Most interesting and challenging were the TNT hydraulic rescue tools, euphemistically known as "Jaws of Life" among other things. We also used a reciprocating saw, glass saws, center-punches and Halligans to annihilate windows and create a "5th door" in the rear quarter panel of a station wagon. Many other skills were taught and practiced, safety being first among many. Size-up people!

In the picture from week 1, on October 14 we practiced vehicle stabilization, air-bag safety and extreme extrication procedures which included removing the entire roof and rolling the dash forward with spreaders and hydraulic jacks.

This weeks focus will be hybrid vehicles and battery safety.