Firefighters prepare for area's growth

EAST COUNTY — As Lakewood Ranch adds new high-rise-type buildings, the local fire department is stepping up to meet new demands.

After receiving a new $1 million ladder truck Oct. 20, East Manatee Fire Rescue firemen received training from instructors at the Broward Fire Academy Nov. 10 through Nov. 14, at Manatee Technical Institute’s fire science building.

The training focused on high-angle rope rescue, which could be used to respond to events at radio towers, water towers and buildings five stories or higher. Firefighters learned proper rigging and techniques for moving people and equipment from high-rise buildings using rope systems.

“This is East Manatee’s first formal technical rescue,” East Manatee’s Lt. Luke Fay said from the top of MTI’s fire academy training tower, as he tied a tape knot and readied to turn it into a mode-release knot. “We have a big brand new bucket truck that has been purchased for (rescues) at the high-rise apartments, like The Venue and Lost Creek.”

The new fire truck, which will be put into use in early 2015, will have a 100-foot ladder and a bucket. Other trucks are equipped with 75-foot ladders only.

Previously, a fire event at a multilevel building would require firefighters to carry victims down stairs or have a victim himself climb a ladder down a building.

With the new truck, however, firefighters will be able to load an injured person, for example, into the bucket and lower him to the ground.

“It brings a whole new element to our fire training in preparation for the new truck,” firefighter Steven Ryckman said after securing a dummy into a basket.

East Manatee Training Officer Tim Hyden said training for the new truck will be ongoing until the vehicle is put into circulation. Pearce Manufacturing, which sold the truck to the department, will train firefighters on the details of operating the truck in early December.

Broward’s instructors will conduct another training in December, as well.

“It’s a unique approach,” Hyden said. “We have selected six people from each shift — 18 in total — who will be qualified to run on this truck. They’re training to a higher level. We’ve got to be ready to be able to handle some of the potentially specialized rescues.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].