Weekly training

On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, members utilized an acquired structure to practice roof operations.

During the training, crews focused on several important skills and techniques:

Roof reading which involves assessing the roof’s pitch, the type of covering such as shingles, tile, metal, or membrane, and identifying potential dead loads like HVAC units or solar panels. Crews also observed ventilation indicators including patterns of smoke or flames.

Members developed proficiency with tools such as axes, halligan bars, roof hooks, chainsaws, and rotary saws to safely sound, cut, and create ventilation openings as needed.

Ventilation tactics were practiced by making carefully controlled openings in the roof. This is essential for releasing heat, smoke, and toxic gases, which improves conditions for firefighters working inside the structure and helps reduce the risk of flashover.