Last night’s drill focused on building mask confidence, a crucial skill for every firefighter. Breathing through an air pack can be more challenging than it appears, and it’s common for people to feel claustrophobic or even hyperventilate if they’re not accustomed to it. When you add the adrenaline rush and increased heart rate from fighting a structure fire, firefighters who haven’t trained to be comfortable in their air masks may struggle when it matters most.
We had a great turnout, with a large group of mostly new recruits, and headed to Dellwood Playground for the training. Lieutenants Cosgrove and Rodriguez led the session, where we ran a hose line through the playground’s equipment, requiring members to follow it out while wearing mask coverings. This simulated the experience of navigating through a smoke-filled building, forcing our recruits to rely on their other senses to guide them out.
We also had the chance to work with our brand-new Scott air packs and 5500 PSI cylinders, which provide us with more air time in a fire. Everyone got hands-on experience with the new packs, maneuvering through obstacles while fully suited up in turnout gear. It was a perfect evening for outdoor training, and we’re proud of the progress everyone made.
