By Al Hickey
Three such recent formal drills concentrated on the use of a Thermal Imaging Camera, rescue of a construction worker trapped in a pit and a surface water rescue using the department's inflatable rescue boat.
During the Thermal Imaging Camera drill, department fire training officer Tom O'Brien lectured members on the technology behind these high-tech cameras, which use infrared beams to detect energy produced by heat. This technology allows firefighters to "see" through thick smoke, walls, water and other barriers to normal sight to quickly detect the source of a fire or victims who may be trapped.
The Bellmore Fire Department has three K90 Talisman Thermal Imagers at the ready to aid in firefighting and rescue operations.
A week later, department members participated in a simulated rescue of a construction worker trapped beneath a steel beam in a pit. This drill, also organized by O'Brien, involved procedures to safely extricate the worker, in this case a life-like dummy, while members of the Rescue Squad stabilized and shuttled the victim to a waiting ambulance. This drill focused on the importance of teamwork and included officers and members of Heavy Rescue 607, the Rescue Squad and other units.
The next drill was conducted over two weeks and involved surface water rescues. With Bellmore partially bordered by canals and other waterways, the department must be ready for any emergency, including boating accidents, storm flooding, falls through ice and plane crashes. Day one of the drill took place at Fire Headquarters where members were briefed on how to inflate the department's rescue boat and install the outboard motor. They also became acquainted with the cold water rescue suits, rescue slings, life vests, ropes and other equipment necessary to make a successful water rescue.
Part two of the drill was conducted a week later at Island Plaza in southern Bellmore. Wearing protective cold water gear, junior firefighter Charlie McKeon became the first to plunge into the cold 54-degree water to simulate a victim awaiting rescue. On shore, firefighters inflated the rescue boat and deployed into the canal as Rescue Squad members monitored participants by radio for any health problems, including hypothermia and dehydration. One by one over the next few hours, victims were pulled from the water and rushed to shore, where firemedics practiced stabilizing and treating them as they would during actual rescues.
Coordinating the drill, fire training officer O'Brien discussed the use of rescue ropes as well as the Thermal Imaging Camera, which could aid in water rescues at night.
Round-the-clock fire and rescue protection in Bellmore is provided by dedicated volunteers who spend many hours practicing traditional techniques and learning the latest skills and techniques to help keep their neighbors safe, a tradition that continues for more a century.
