Climbing, carrying and inspecting ladders is a duty that firefighters must master, along with other skills. As part of a 14-week firefighter training program, the Elizabethton Fire Department hosted ladder training for the Northeast Tennessee Regional Fire Association. Training for other skills was held at various locations for 17 rookie firefighters from Bristol, Kingsport, Greeneville, Johnson City, Morristown and Newport.
“Having part of the training here saves taxpayers a lot of money because they don’t have to pay for them to train in Murfreesboro,” said Deputy Chief Rusty Barnett.
After doing class work, rookies learned how to clean and inspect, carry and climb ladders in various settings at the EFD.
“People thing you just climb a ladder but there are techniques for everything,” said Barnett.
He explained the importance of knowing how to “leg lock” in a ladder when hoisting another ladder onto a roof, or knowing how to use the pulley system to extend the ladder. Fire Marshall Andy Hardin said knowing the difference and uses of a flat raise and a beam raise are important as well as how to position the ladder and how to enter a window.
At four stations, rookies practiced the steps for each skill, because they must know how to do the tasks properly and safely in a matter of minutes.
“The overall purpose of these activities is safety,” said Barnett.
Following these weeks of training, Barnett said these rookies will take a certification test and will be ready to work.