Union Fire Co.



Acquired Structure Training



Union was given the opportunity to train in a residence slated for demolition. The Structure and out buildings were donated by Western New York Federal Credit Union, who recently acquired the property. A total of 7 Trainings, involving firefighters throughout West Seneca and Orchard Park FAST. Trainings included the Following:
Training Day 1 & 2 - Search Techniques, Thermal Imaging, and Wall Breaching
Training Day 3 - Firefighter Escape (Bailout - Basement, 1st & 2nd Floor)
Training Day 4 & 5 - Roof Operations (low and 12:12 pitch roof with Smoke)
Training Day 6 - Firefighter Down, MAYDAY and FAST Operations, Hose Line Advancement.
Training Day 7 - Window-to-door Conversion, Horizontal Ventilation, Forcible Entry
Firefighters from Union, Winchester, Reserve, East Seneca, Seneca Hose, Vigilant and Orchard Park FAST Team trained in the Structure.
Our Sincere thanks goes to Western New York Federal Credit Union for their donation of the structure - Well over 70 Firefighters took advantage of the training, some attended all 7 trainings.

Below are some pictures of operations taking place on the training ground.

Please Note: NO LIVE FIRE Training took place during this training. Powerful non-toxic Smoke Machines were placed throughout the structure to create realistic smoke conditions during training.



Day 1 & 2 Search Techniques, Wall Breaching, Thermal Imaging



SMOKE Conditions without Thermal Imaging



The Smoke Machines we used were powerful enough to charge the residence to near zero viz conditions - realistic conditions found in structure fires.



Smoke conditions With Thermal Imaging



Thermal Imaging is a valuable tool to firefighters - allowing firefighters to see through smoke conditions, locating potential victims and fire hot-spots. In this image, firefighters can be seen removing a "victim" from the residence in zero-viz conditions



Demonstrating Effective Search Techniques



Seneca Hose Assistant Chief Seufert is shown demonstrating some search techniques to firefighters. Effective Search Techniques are critical for locating victims.



Firefighters Search in near zero-viz conditions



Firefighters performing search techniques on floor 1 of the structure.



Wall Breaching



Firefighters had the chance to perform wall breaching throughout the first and second floor. Firefighters practiced in smoke conditions, and breached through plaster & Lathe walls. This type of wall is significantly more difficult to breach than traditional drywall/sheetrock.



Day 3 - Firefighter Escape - Bailout Training Basement, 1st & 2nd Floor



1st Floor Bailout



A Firefighter Performs a bailout from the 1st floor window with the aid of Captain P. Wzientek and Lt. T. Wzientek. Bailouts are performed head-first.



2nd Floor Bailout



A Firefighter Bails out of a 2nd floor window. Union Firefighters are equipped with a 40ft RPI Bailout System attached to a GEMTOR Harness, which is attached to their gear. The Safety Belay can be seen attached to the green webbing - fashioned in a hasty Harness under the Firefighters Gear.

Bailouts are performed in emergency situations where firefighters must exit the structure immediately.



Basement Bailouts



Firefighters also had the chance to practice bailing out of basement windows. In the event of Glass-block, firefighters outside may break windows with a Maul to aid in the escape of a trapped firefighter.



Day 4 & 5 - Roof Operations, Low Pitch & 12:12 Pitch



Roof Operations



Firefighters Train on roof operations which consist of ground ladder placement, roof ladder placement, vertical ventilation techniques and cutting roof both with saws, and sometimes manual tools.



Smoke Conditions



The second floor of the structure was charged with smoke from the smoke machines - open roof trusses allowed for realistic smoke conditions once ventilation was made.

Sunlight can be seen penetrating through the thick smoke on the second floor.

(Again, NO LIVE FIRE was introduced to training)



Roof Operations



Firefighters operate off of a roof ladder to cut a vertical ventilation hole in the 12:12 pitch roof.



Chief Monson needed to get in on the action



Asst. Chief Weber backs up Chief Monson on the 12:12 pitch roof.



Operating off aerial platform



Seneca Hose Firefighter Berst taking advantage of a photo op before assisting a firefighter in more roof ops.



Operating off aerial platform



Firefighters operate off Seneca Hose 6's platform



Day 6 - Firefighter Down, MAYday, FAST operations, hoseline advancement



Firefighter down/FAST Scenario



Orchard Park FAST (Firefighter Assist and Search Team) locates a downed firefighter (simulation).



Standing by



Firefighters standby awaiting the next evolution to start.



FAST Team secures firefighter for basement extrication



Orchard Park FAST Team secures a downed (simulated) firefighter to an attic ladder for extrication from the basement.



Day 7 - Window to Door Conversion, Forcible entry, horizontal ventilation



window to door conversions



A Seneca Hose Firefighter Cuts a window frame down to the floor joist in order to create an opening for egress or rescue operations.

Our New DeWalt Electric chainsaw was put to the test and performed well.



window to door conversion



A complete window to door conversion



forcible entry



Firefighter Minazzi Demonstrates forcible entry techniques on the front door.



Does the above training interest you?



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1845 Union Rd. Gardenville (West Seneca) NY 14224
Phone: 716-668-2828
EMERGENCY: DIAL 911


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