| The sun rose on Sunday, November 27th in Potsdam to find fire trucks lining Main Street and the parking lot adjacent to the fire station. Firefighters from Canton, Norwood, Parishville, Hannawa Falls, West Potsdam, and West Stockholm fire departments had joined Potsdam Fire for a briefing at 6:30 am. Potsdam Fire Chief Chris Taylor explained apparatus assignments for the live burn training drill that was about to take place. At approximately 7:00 am, the trucks rolled down Market Street to the old Top 40 Video building, donated to the fire department by current owner James Sheehan.
Potsdam Engine 48, operated by Potsdam driver Bob Pierce, and Tower 5, operated by Firefighter Jim Corbett, arrived on scene and staged to the left of the building. A four-inch supply line was stretched from E-48 to the corner of Sisson and Market Streets, where Engine 111, operated by Past Chief Robert Robar, hit the hydrant. E-48 supplied T-5. Potsdam Tanker 100, operated by Firefighter Kevin Grant, parked in front of the building and dropped two port-a-tanks. Canton Tower 1 and Engine 8 covered the right side of the structure, also dropping two port-a-tanks. E-8 supplied T-1. Norwood Tower 7 took the rear. The remaining support apparatus filled in where requested. A tanker shuttle drew water from the Racquette River behind the Market Square Mall, supplying the port-a-tanks. The tanker shuttle was comprised of Potsdam Engine 80, Parishville Tanker 45, West Potsdam Engine 76, and Norwood Tanker 77. The draft was established by West Stockholm Engine 88.
Preparations for the burn evolutions were made. A 400' 1 3/4" handline was pulled from E-48, three 200' 1 3/4" handlines and one 2 1/2" line were stretched from TA-100, and an 1 3/4" handline was stretched from E-8. Interior firefighters donned self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and were briefed by Potsdam Chiefs Taylor, McGregor, Goliber, and Jerome, and Canton Assistant Chief and Potsdam paid driver Bob Crowe. Attack teams were organized. The primary attack team staged at the front door, with a backup attack team ready at the side door. Finally, a fire was set in one of the old video rooms and allowed to develop.
The word was given. The first team entered the now-burning structure and quickly knocked the fire down. New fires were set and extinguished several times, allowing all firefighters a chance to practice extinguishment. Upon completion of the evolutions, the structure was burned to the ground under the watchful eyes of the firefighters.
After the controlled burn was completed, all of the hose was picked up, airpacks refilled, and the apparatus placed back in service at approximately 1400 hours. This training helped the Potsdam Fire Department satisfy annual training requirements of the Insurance Services Organization.
Thanks go to James Sheehan for donating the building, Hannawa Falls Fire for standing by at our station in case an emergency call was received during the training, and the other departments that participated. Training such as this helps keeps our firefighters sharp. When the next alarm of fire sounds, Potsdam Fire will be ready. |
