Area Fire Departments Conduct Special Training

Several local volunteer fire departments have been involved in special training over the past several days. The sessions are being held at the Kelly Fire Department and the instructor is Dwight Sheppard.

Saturday the training included vehicle extrication and helicopter landing protocol. Fire departments involved in the training included Kelly VFD, Atkinson VFD and Northwoods Fire with assistance by the “Air Care 2” based out of Columbus Regional Hospital in Whiteville.

The training included setting up a landing zone, communications with the aircraft and working with the air crew. The class is conducted through Bladen Community College and is one of the required classes for Firefighter II certification through the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Additional training will include conducting interior search and rescue training inside a vacant building. All firefighters will enter the smoke filled structure wearing full turnout gear to learn the basics of conducting a primary search in a hostile environment.