Tonight’s drill, led by Chief Sikirica, focused on building mask confidence. For a new firefighter, mastering the use of the SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) in various situations is essential. Wearing an SCBA changes the way you breathe, makes tasks more challenging, and complicates communication. The first step is to practice wearing the mask in a low-stress environment to get comfortable with breathing and managing air consumption. Once confident, firefighters are ready to move on to Task Oriented Air Consumption training and Live Burn Training.
Our crew gathered at the firehouse, suited up in full gear and SCBAs, and got to work. Some practiced forcible entry with the door prop, others washed trucks, while a few ran laps around the building. The main goal was simple—keep the mask on until the air cylinder ran out. A friendly competition began, with Firefighter John Boser and Probationary Firefighter Tim Yap competing to see who could stretch their air the longest. In the end, Firefighter Yap claimed victory, lasting an impressive 1 hour and 21 minutes—an exceptional time.
We also had the chance to train members on the air cylinder filling station, and afterward, our house committee treated us to some delicious chili. It was a productive and enjoyable drill tonight!
