BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Fire Department and Emergency Management released a review of its dedication to training and associated achievements in 2019.

Firefighters, career and volunteer, completed over 10,000 hours of training during the year. That averages over 100 hours for each firefighter. January started with a Support Firefighter class. This class is the entry level class for the department and consists of 60 hours of training. They also completed a second support firefighter class in November adding several new members.

During some heavy rains in Feb., the Union County Swiftwater Rescue team used the rising water as a training opportunity. Swimmers donned their swift water gear and simulated water rescues in the Nottely River. Each rescue involved swimming in the rough and rapid current to a simulated victim and catching a rope to pull the victim in. These firefighters, made up of career and volunteers, are well trained and dedicated.

In March, firefighters were involved in training on Ladder 1. Firefighters and officers of several metro departments instructed a class on how to operate and maintain the ladder apparatus. Firefighters were also instructed in various ladder operations in order to use the apparatus and equipment to its potential. Ladder 1 has responded to several fires and was used on the dry cleaner fire.

Throughout the year, the training facility was utilized to complete basic, advanced, and live-fire training. The department conducted several live-fire training classes. These classes involved firefighters entering the burn building and attacking a fire in a controlled environment. It is an opportunity for firefighters to learn how smoke and fire react in a building. They also experience the heat and low visibility conditions associated with a fire.

The training facility was also used to conduct multi-company training. The multi-company training involves all firefighters and all stations training together. This training allows firefighters to get to know each other and to learn how to work together as they do on an actual fire. Multi-company training in 2019 included subjects such as water supply, rescue, firefighter survival, and auto extrication.

This is just a basic review of the many hours of training conducted by the Union County Fire Department. Training hours help to reduce the ISO rating but more important, it keeps everyone trained and ready to respond to any emergency.

Photo courtesy of Union County Fire Department and EMA Facebook page.