For drill this past Wednesday night (May 3, 2023), the firefighters of Co 1 and Co 3 teamed up to practice more advanced nozzle techniques and rapid fire attack drills while getting our pump operators some time on the panel.

While most residential structure fires are managed with 1 or 2 medium attack lines, fire conditions occasionally require the deployment of large caliber 2 1/2″ lines. Even less frequently, the opportunity presents itself for the first arriving engine to make use of the engine-mounted deck gun.

Using either of those tools requires close (and rapid) coordination between the firefighters on the rig, with little room for errors. Everyone must know their job and be prepared to act quickly. It is an advanced technique that requires practice and repetition.

After training like Wednesday night, our firefighters are capable of delivering over 500 gallons of water per minute into a fire less than 30 seconds after the rig comes to a stop.

This just adds another tool to the toolbox of options our firefighters can reach for in protecting the residents of Mahwah.

Check out some of our recent drills…

Hose Deployment Drill

By James Warnet

Posted in Events and Happenings

For our March 29th drill, Co 1 firefighters spent the night refreshing hose deployment and advancement techniques.

Tower Ladder Operations

By Josh Chase

Posted in Events and Happenings

For tonight’s drill, Co1 Firefighters practiced their skills drafting and pumping to a tower ladder. This is a difficult task because of the higher pressure required to push the water up the aerial, and in the case of Ramsey’s Tower 441, there was no onboard pump to assist. While our pump operators were practicing this other firefighter learned how to use and operate the ladder.  Thank you to our colleagues at Ramsey FD who allowed us to use their tower ladder and also Fire Co3 who assisted in the operation. Think you would like to join us? Stop by Wednesday nights at 730 or emails us at info@mfdco1.org

Drill Night: Hitting The Hydrant

By Josh Chase

Posted in Events and Happenings

For tonight’s drill, Co1 Firefighters practiced their skills setting up a fire hydrant and connecting it to the fire engine or as we call it “hitting the hydrant”. This is a verry important skill that all firefighters need to be proficient at as this is the main way that we get our water for firefighting. Think you would like to join us? Stop by Wednesday nights at 730 or emails us at info@mfdco1.org