Technical rescue teams participate in simulation at Onset pump station
Firefighters could be called to anywhere: collapsed buildings, trenches, and even sewer pump stations, like the one on Onset Avenue near Lopes Field.
Members of fire departments from the Plymouth and Norfolk counties' technical rescue teams took part in a monthly all-day drill on Monday, Nov. 21 at the sewer pump station.
Monday's drill involved a confined space, which is why the pump station was used. The station, which goes about five stories below ground, also gave the firefighters a chance to practice "rope system" techniques. The simulation they practiced had two dummy victims down at the bottom of the station for an "unknown reason." The firefighters had to lower and pull up the rescuers and the dummies using only manpower.
"We set up a couple of rope systems to lower the rescuers to them to save both victims," said Duxbury Firefighter Alex Merry, who was with the group from Norfolk County and participated in hanging up the rope systems.
The simulation also allowed paramedic firefighters to practice giving medical attention to victims.
Onset firefighter Jeff Dias and Stoughton Fire Captain Jim Bertram both said the different county fire departments have begun training together so all the firefighters are on the same page in terms of how to handle situations.
"In case of a large-scale event, like the Springfield tornadoes, for example, we can end up working with as many as four other teams," Dias said, adding that the firefighters try to train in as many places throughout the county as possible in order to be prepared.
Bertram said Monday's simulation and the other monthly drills are voluntary and the firefighters do not get paid for participating.