Announcement

OP officials take part in intensive firefighting drills

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

(Dec. 9, 2020) Several Ocean Pines officials took part in a “Fire Ops 101” event last Friday in Newark, to get a first-hand taste of what firefighters experience during an emergency call.

Participants took part in firefighting, search and rescue, vehicle extrication and CPR drills in simulated environments and while wearing authentic fire department gear.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 4916, hosted the event and Ocean Pines participants included Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino, Association President Larry Perrone, Association Vice President Colette Horn, and General Manager John Viola.

Melissa Bragg, president of the Worcester County Professional Fire Fighters Association, said she was happy with how the event turned out.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “We were able to show our elected officials and media that attended what it’s like to do our job.”

The drills were so realistic, she said, that some participants seemed overwhelmed at times. She said one person was fitted for protective gear first thing in the morning, and then took it off to put civilian clothes back on.

“When I came to them and said, ‘OK, it’s time to get started and get ready for the day, go ahead and put your gear on,’ this person in particular lost it and said, ‘But I just took it off!’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I know. And that stinks, but that’s exactly what it’s like in a day with us,’” Bragg said.

Having to put on cumbersome and uncomfortable equipment and leave at a moment’s notice is typical for a firefighter, Bragg said.

“There is no break. Sometimes you don’t get meals. Sometimes you have to hold it and you can’t pee for hours, because if someone’s having an emergency you don’t have time to say, ‘Well, I really wanted to run through the drive through and get something.’ You don’t have time when an emergency happens, and I think that was the No. 1 biggest takeaway for them,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s literally going from fighting a fire, to doing CPR on someone,” she continued. “I always like to say the fire department is like hours of monotony interrupted by moments of chaos. You could go for hours where you’re just cleaning and checking equipment and doing chores all around the firehouse. You could even be asleep at night, and then all of the sudden you’re woken up and you have to be on your A-game and hurry and move fast and get yourself together.”

Bragg said on TV and in movies, first responders will often go into a bright, well-lit area during an emergency.

“That’s not what it’s truly like in a fire,” she said. “In a fire it’s usually very dark and you’re usually feeling your way around. One of the people asked me about wearing your glasses and I said, ‘You don’t need your glasses – you can’t see in a fire.’ It’s part of the job and we learn to adapt to everything in a totally different way than most people expect.”

Bragg said about 14 people attended the event, and everyone she talked to afterward told her what a revelation it was.

“Every single person that attended told me, ‘I had no idea. I can’t believe you guys do this every day,’” she said. “But we’ve just become used to what we’re doing. We know what to expect, whereas they were just completely taken aback.

“It’s really the most fantastic opportunity to get someone in there to try it and let them see it for themselves. They were all so excited about it, so I couldn’t have been happier with how it went,” she continued. “Hopefully, we’ll do it again!”

Ocean Pines officials who attended the “Fire Ops 101” event also shared their thoughts:

General Manager John Viola:

“The International Association of Fire Fighters event last week confirmed my appreciation for our local fire companies. Those of us in attendance were able to get a detailed and close-up look at the daily activities of firefighters and emergency responders. The presentation was both professional and educational, and it demonstrated the expertise and dedication of our first responders.

“I thought it was very well done and a good experience, and I came away very impressed. I’m grateful to have been invited.”

Association President Larry Perrone:

“I was able to do all the physical activity, including climbing the ladder truck to the third-floor smoke-filled room to rescue two victims. I also did the flash-over room and the CPR. The static demonstrations were very informative.

“I got a couple things out of this tremendous experience:

Our first responders must be in great physical shape. I was exhausted after the smokeroom rescue and flash-over room. I can’t remember a workout this demanding since airborne school.
It’s clear that the equipment needed to protect our residents is varied, expensive and needed.
The dedication of our first responders is exceptional. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers and full-time members of our fire department.
The cooperation between departments in the county is outstanding.

“It was a great experience and I want to thank all those who made it happen and, in particular, Melissa Bragg.”

Association Vice President Colette Horn:

“I appreciate having been given the opportunity to participate in the Worcester County International Association of Fire Fighters’ 2020 Fire Ops 101. It was a fun and informative experience that gave the participants the opportunity to suit up and walk in the boots of firefighters and EMS professionals for a few hours.

“We got a real taste of how physically and mentally taxing the work is. We also experienced firsthand the value of the many specialty tools and equipment on their trucks. We learned how and why the tools of their mission are so vital to their success and why they are also so expensive.

“The instructors, who volunteered their time to deliver this program, are an impressive group of individuals who effectively showcased the depth and scope of knowledge, expertise and passion for their work that the firefighters and EMS professionals bring to their service to the citizens of Worcester County and Ocean Pines. I came away from the experience with a new appreciation for all that they do for us.”

“The activities we engaged in were:

Suiting up in full firefighter gear, including oxygen tank, to experience a smoke-filled building environment. Some of us went up the ladder to the fourth floor and ‘rescued’ a dummy from the smoke-filled environment. Some of us climbed a ladder to the second floor, and the faint of heart (me) went up the stairs into the building and to the second floor to experience the environment. (At all times we were guided and aided by instructors and staff to ensure our safety and the meaningfulness of the activity for each of us.)
In full gear including oxygen tank, entered a building with a fire in progress and operated the water hose to douse the fire or (in my case) observed the dousing of the fire by participants.
In full gear, without oxygen tank, operated the equipment needed to do an extraction from a vehicle – broke the window, removed the glass, used the ‘jaws of life’ to remove the door, used a cutting tool to dismantle the door jamb.
Donned full protective gear over our firefighter clothing (i.e.N-95 mask, gloves, and robe) to respond to a simulated 911 call involving a cardiac event. Worked as a team of four (Larry Perrone, Chip Bertino, John Viola and me) to work on a computerized training dummy using CPR and a defibrillator (with coaching from the instructor), transfer the subject to a litter and lift onto a cart and into the EMS truck. (We revived the dummy just after we got him into the truck).
Receiving a briefing on the Fire Marshall’s role. Learned about situations, equipment and techniques used by the Fire Marshall’s ‘Bomb Squad’ for disrupting explosive devices in the field. Operated a detonator to disrupt the device using the techniques demonstrated by the Fire Marshalls.
Received a briefing on the various vehicles, tools, equipment, protective gear, and machinery that are needed by the EMS, firefighters and Fire Marshall in the execution of their respective missions.”

County Commissioner Chip Bertino:

“The event gave insight into the challenges, responsibilities and preparedness of firefighters. It was very humbling for me to walk in their boots – literally – and experience just a minute fraction of what each of these volunteer and career male and female firefighters/EMTs face and endure each time they are called out. Unless you have been the focus of their attention during an actual emergency/life-threatening situation, most people may not fully appreciate the high level of training, professionalism and selflessness instilled within these first responders.

“The Fire Ops training was well organized and well thought out, giving each participant an opportunity to experience going into a burning building, attempting to save the life of a patient in distress and using the jaws of life to extract a car accident victim.”