Lieutenant Hanold advising the Juniors on the plan.
Chief Cummings and Ex-Captain Erdman arranging seating in 8-4-2.
Captain Boyd demonstrating hydrant hook-up using the Humat valve.
By Captain Edward Boyd
April 7, 2011
To improve its efficiency on the fireground, Southold Fire Department is implementing a system of "riding assignments" on the attack pumpers wherein the basic tasks to be performed at a fire will be pre-assigned depending upon which seat in the pumper a member occupies on the way to the fire.
Ex-Captain Erdman has brought a lifetime of experience to this project and has prepared detailed sheets explaining the theories involved. It is now up to each of us, through practice, to make the system work. Following introduction of the plan at the Council meeting on Monday, the first "hands-on" training was held on Wednesday, April 6th. Much was accomplished at this session, but there is still a long way to go before it becomes second nature. For the system to work it is vital that we have full participation from the membership, especially drivers and exterior firefighters, as there are many tasks to be performed at the scene of a fire.
