Members of the Plympton Fire Department had a unique venue to conduct firefighter rescue training over the weekend.
The Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training took place at a farmhouse off Parsonage Road. The drills included finding a downed firefighter, converting air tanks, and getting a firefighter out of a second-story window.
Fire Chief Steve Silva says in addition to learning vital skills, the drill showed the importance of teamwork.
“We were fortunate enough to be allowed to use a property here in town,” said Silva. “These properties that we’re using here don’t come along often. It was good, we have an old farmhouse here, one of the older buildings in town. The trick was to have some meaningful training without causing any damage to the structure, which we succeeded at.”
Two certified instructors led the training with a stokes basket and ladders to get a dummy to safety. Some evolutions included members of the Plympton Fire Department.
An increase in firefighter fatalities in the past decade led to a focus on RIT training and technique. With full gear, a firefighter could weigh from 250 to 275 pounds, making it a tough task to get them out.
The drill was the idea of Lieutenant Andrew Norton, the department’s training officer.
“RIT training, it’s an absolutely fundamental firefighter skill. Not only could you be saving another firefighter, you could ultimately be saving yourself,” said Norton. “A fire, a dangerous situation, a dangerous working environment — You need to know how to get a fellow firefighter and yourself out of there if things go south.”
Norton said with some newer members in the drill helps build a sense of purpose and mentorship. A smaller town like Plympton doesn’t get the frequency of calls like other departments, so it’s important to hone their skills.
“The Plympton Fire Department has come a long way and we’re going to keep going,” said Norton. “The Chief has made training our priority in this department and the members have stepped right up to it, and it shows.”
The Plympton Fire Department trains on rescuing an injured firefighter from the second floor of a home. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Some rope, some ladder, the Plympton Fire Department made a pulley system to rescue a dummy from the second floor. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
