The Columbus Division of Fire continues to strengthen its force with intensive training, most recently concluding the "Save Our Own" program for the 123rd recruit class, Silver Company. This segment, lasting five days, focuses on crucial rescue techniques to aid firefighters in perilous situations. It honors the memory of firefighter John Nance, who tragically lost his life in a 1987 incident at the old Mithoff Building in Columbus. According to a post by the Columbus Division of Fire, the training includes drills based on real events that have shaped firefighter protocols.
Recruits underwent the Nance drill, reenacting a scenario where a firefighter falls through a floor into a basement. The skills required for this drill include various techniques for reaching and safely extracting the fallen comrade. In another training sequence known as the Pulaski drill, recruits learn to rescue a firefighter incapacitated by a medical emergency, such as a heart attack, similar to the real-life rescue of Lt. Mike Pulaski. The Denver drill, inspired by a deadly incident in a Denver high-rise, instructs them on the extraction of a firefighter from a high window scenario through the use of a high-point anchor system.
The training also encompasses the Pittsburgh drill, where following a hose line over obstacles and navigating through tight spaces to reach a downed firefighter is essential. Another element includes navigating the entanglement box, which simulates moving through tangles of wires and knocking out wall studs as if breaking through a wall. Through these exercises, recruits learn to negotiate the unpredictable challenges faced in the line of duty.
On the final day of training, the recruits' skills were put to the test in a comprehensive evaluation. "The recruits broke into different squads. We had a rotation set up using an actual structure where they were able to deploy as a RIT team in multiple scenarios above, at, and below grade,” Lt. Quentin Cowdrey, lead instructor for Save Our Own, described the finale of the training program. He remarked on the progress and adaptability of the recruits, saying, "They made good improvements over the week. They showed that they were able to learn from the days leading up to their evaluation day." The evaluation involved executing rescues from various levels of two vacant houses on Hague Avenue, combining all the skills learned throughout the course.
Moving forward, the 123 Silver Company will transition to the fireground operation portion of their training at the academy, where they will continue to refine their skills and readiness to serve the Columbus community. Their progression underscores a commitment to preparedness and reinforces measures to ensure not just the safety of the populace, but the safeguarding of the firefighters themselves.
