HopNews recently interviewed Fire Department Chief Gary Daugherty to talk about a recent training session conducted by the fire department. This training included a comprehensive eight-hour exercise centered on vehicle extrication and rescue, divided into two main parts. The morning segment aimed to introduce participants to the tools and techniques used in vehicle rescues, while the afternoon focused on scenario-based drills that simulated real-life situations firefighters may encounter on the road.
This training took place behind the Fruit Street Fields, adjacent to the old DPW garage, where several old cars that belonged to the town had been stored for approximately a year and a half. These vehicles, which required new transmissions and were missing keys and titles, were repurposed for training instead of being sold for minimal profit, proving invaluable for the firefighters’ educational development.
The HFD undertook a procurement process to dispose of these vehicles, ensuring all fluids were drained so they could be positioned upside down for training before being dismantled and sold for scrap metal.
During the morning session, instruction was provided on how to stabilize vehicles in unstable positions, including those that were inverted or lying on their sides. Firefighters learned to use Stabilization and Rescue Technology (SRT), which involves struts that form a triangular support structure when anchored to a vehicle.
This system is crucial for preventing movement; without it, an overturned vehicle would be precarious and could shift dangerously. With the struts in place, rescuers could safely remove windshields or roofs to free trapped individuals.
The department maintains these advanced stabilization tools on their rescue truck but does not deploy them to every highway incident immediately. Instead, initial responses are handled by engine companies equipped with basic extrication tools. The rescue truck is dispatched only when reports indicate a serious accident, such as a rollover involving a tractor-trailer. This strategy allows for effective responses while ensuring that the appropriate equipment is available when necessary.
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The training was particularly pertinent due to the high incidence of accidents occurring near the Hopkinton exit on I-495, a situation exacerbated by recent changes in traffic patterns. Firefighters engaged in various scenarios, such as a vehicle flipped onto construction barriers and another that had collided with a tractor-trailer causing it to jack-knife.
In one exercise, a mannequin was placed within a car trapped underneath a tractor-trailer, necessitating that firefighters stabilize the entire trailer before accessing the mannequin. Another scenario involved stabilizing a dumpster mimicking a tractor-trailer positioned atop a vehicle with two children (mannequins) in the back seat.
The significance of this training extended beyond the number of participants involved; it also provided a rare opportunity for uninterrupted practice, which is often challenging during regular duty hours due to emergency calls. Recent departmental changes, including numerous retirements, have resulted in a younger workforce that possesses less experience with vehicle accidents compared to their more seasoned colleagues.
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Modern vehicles, equipped with enhanced safety features, tend to reduce entrapments but introduce new challenges for extrication. As noted by Daugherty, “A car will look destroyed, but the person will be standing next to it,” highlighting a shift from previous incidents where less visible damage frequently resulted in occupants being trapped.
The drill was designed to replicate real emergency responses, with scenarios set up without the firefighters’ prior knowledge. Trucks were dispatched from the dog park to respond as they would to a typical call, allowing officers to assess the situation and assign roles to responding firefighters, mirroring actual emergency protocols.
Each scenario took between 30 to 45 minutes or longer to complete, facilitating thorough practice and learning. The department was able to double the number of personnel typically involved in such training, enhancing the collaborative learning experience.
The morning session emphasized equipment review and basic scenario management, while the afternoon focused on more complex, situation-based training. Furthermore, access to the vehicles was retained over the weekend before they were collected by a tow company, enabling additional training sessions for groups working on Saturday and Sunday, thereby maximizing the educational value of the exercise.
In summary, this comprehensive training session represented a significant investment in the preparedness and skill development of the department, particularly benefiting the younger members of the team. The hands-on experience with a variety of scenarios equipped them to handle real-world emergencies more effectively than standard training typically allows, underscoring the department’s commitment to ongoing education and skill enhancement.
