Recent Incidents
LTFD & SMTFD Hold V.E.S. Training
By
Mar 15, 2005 - 9:38: PM

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On Monday March 14th, 2005, firefighters from Lancaster Township (Station 6-6) and Southern Manheim Township (Station 2-11) worked together to hold a Vent, Enter and Search (V.E.S.) training exercise at the old fire school under the direction of Lancaster Township’s Lieutenant Paul Castline.

The purpose of this drill was to teach the method and practice of rapid ventilation, entry, search and rescue.

Crews were instructed to throw a ladder to a second floor window sill, open the window, check for a solid floor, enter the room, perform a rapid search of the entire room, secure the room by closing the hallway door, return to the window and exit down the ladder.

All tasks were to be completed with in 30 seconds, under live fire, high heat and heavy smoke conditions.

While this evolution was occurring, the newer members of both departments were learning fire behavior and hose line advancement under the direction of Lancaster Township’s Captain Scott Slaymaker.

These crews observed a fire in its beginning stages and watched it’s progress. This taught them how a fire will behave and recognize it’s characteristics. They then practiced pulling hand lines and advanced them to the fire room.

Special thanks to Craig Rhineer from the Willow Street Fire Company and Captain Tom Bender from the Southern Manheim Township Fire Department for their assistance with this training.