Continuing a very intensive training schedule for Spring 2022, 15 firefighters from Crary Hose, Knoxville/Deerfield, Clymer Hose, Osceola and Middlebury Township participated in a Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations Level course hosted by Crary Hose throughout the month of May 2022, conducted by Bucks County Community College instructors Dave Braun and Richard Scheesley. The course was sponsored by the Tioga County Department of Emergency Services. Firefighters invested 40 hours of their time over 7 days/evenings of instruction. This course provides certification at the Awareness and Operations level for vehicle rescue, which signifies that those who completed the course are able to safely and effectively operate on-scene at motor vehicle accidents, providing command, stabilization and extrication capabilities. The course was taught using the IFSTA course material with the goal of providing students with the skills and knowledge to challenge the Pro Board certification tests at the Awareness and Operations levels for this area of concentration.
The first four nights of this training entailed classroom time, with Instructor Braun providing information on national standards, incident management, vehicle anatomy and science, extrication equipment, extrication techniques, ropes, rigging and low-angle rescue techniques. These classroom sessions were followed up with three, 8 hour days of practical instruction conducted primarily on-site at Cowanesque Valley Recycling where 6 vehicles were staged for instructional use. Apparatus from Crary Hose, Wellsboro, Middlebury, Osceola and Knoxville provide rescue tools, equipment and rehab capabilities as the students learned and practiced stabilization and extrication techniques from Instructors Scheesley and Braun. Each day of practical instruction included a session of low-angle rope rescue and rigging practice as well.
Thank you to all Crary Hose members and firefighters from our mutual aid departments for attending and gaining vital, lifesaving skills and knowledge. This is a large time commitment, and your sacrifices for our department and community are greatly appreciated.
Thank you to the following people and agencies for your help in making this training a success:
- Instructors Dave Braun and Richard Scheesley
- Bucks County Community College
- Tioga County Department of Emergency Services
- Wellsboro Fire and Ambulance – Heavy Rescue 1-8
- Wellsboro Firefighters Mike Phelps and Tyler Andrus
- Cassy Adams, Mary Earle and Dave Earle for providing meals and snacks during the training.
- Cowanesque Valley Recycling and Vincent Osborn for providing vehicles and training grounds.
- Knoxville/Deerfield VFD for use of your rehab trailer.
- Westfield Borough Council for accommodating our class due to a room scheduling conflict
- Crary Hose Training Committee for your hard work in making this class happen locally
