| On Memorial Day, 2010, 20 members of the Good Will Fire Company attended a live burn drill at the West Chester Fire Department Training Center. The focus of this drill was to both simulate fires in Apartment Buildings and to complete the required practical skills for three members seeking promotion to 3rd class.
The three fire companies of the West Chester Fire Department utilize a Firefighter Classification System, this classification system identifies every active firefighter, within the department, by their level of training, certifications that they hold, and the amount of apparatus they are qualified to drive. A First Class Firefighter, in the West Chester Fire Department, holds all of the certifications that are required of them and they are qualified to operate all fire apparatus in their respective company, a first class firefighter may also take the place of an officer if one is not present at the time of an alarm.
A Second Class Firefighter is an interior firefighter, who has obtained all of their required certifications required of them and are qualified to operate one or more pieces (but not all) of apparatus in their respective company. A Third Class Firefighter has completed all of their required certifications and passed their respective companies third class requirements, these members are interior firefighters but not qualified to operate any apparatus in their respective company.
The Officers of the Good Will Fire Company developed a Third Class written and promotional exam to ensure that each and every interior firefighter has displayed the skills that are expected of a Good Will Firefighter. The written test consists of 50 questions that petain to basic firefighting skills and specific questions regarding the operations of the Good Will Fire Company and the West Chester Fire Department. The Third Class Practical Test requires each firefighter to showcase their skills through s skill station type setting. The practical test covers Self Contained Breathing Apparatus competency, Advancing and operating attack lines, connecting to a fire hydrant, Primary Search, and placing ground ladders. While this may seem a bit drastic to some, it is an effective method that we use to ensure that every interior firefighter had the ability to perform the skills required of them on the fire ground.
The drill started with a briefing, by the line officers, of the events planned for the day and the expectations of the line officers and senior members in attendance. Once at the WCFDTC, our members were broken up into individual groups and they rotated through four seperate stations.
Station #1, led by Lieutenant Chris Good, covered the proper positioning and operations of the initial attack line. Station #2, led by Assistant Chief Paul Haring, covered the proper positing and operations of the backup attack line. Station #3, led by Lieutenant Gerry DiNunzio, covered conducting a safe and effective primary search in a fire building. Lieutenant Jay Ferriola held the role of the Incident Commander for the first rotation and later switched out with the instructors so that everyone got rested due to the hot weather and they got a chance to act as the Incident Commander.
Each group rotated through all of the stations twice and were cleaned up and back in quarters by 1:30PM. Congratulations to Firefighters Combs, Davis, and Rychlak on successfully completing your third class written and practical testing! The officers would like to thank each and every member for their continued dedication to both the company and to our training program, keep up the great work. |
