Training discussed at emergency services meeting
LUZERNE TOWNSHIP – Training was the topic Thursday as representatives from local fire and emergency services departments shared information at the Office of Emergency Services meeting. “There’s been a lot of talk about training. That’s great, maybe we need more of it,” said Bob Miller. “We have good representation here. I think it would benefit emergency providers to know what training is available.”
Miller, assistant director of the Office of Emergency Services, suggested all departments report training and drills to the Emergency Services office to update all departments on what training is available.
“I suggest training officers funnel information through the EMA office to let everyone know of the training offered so it can benefit everyone. DJ (Angelone, director of the Office of Emergency Services) can be our main source of information.”
Members from Tower Hill 2, Labelle and Hiller fire departments and Fayette and Hiller emergency management services as well as Fayette County Sheriff Gary Brownfield attended the meeting.
Angelone welcomed all to attend a training course, “The Essentials of Firefighting,” sponsored by the township. The courses will begin April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Labelle Fire Department and will run on Mondays and Thursday and every other Saturday.
The 88-hour course is open to all fire departments and emergency services units and is free of charge.
Angelone said the Office of Emergency Services is going to begin offering training courses to emergency personnel regularly.
He said courses in fire suppression and HAZMAT will also be offered soon.
The township in conjunction with Brownfield is also planning a “downed-plane” drill at Patsy Hillman Park, tentatively scheduled for May 4.
Angelone said the drill’s “main objective is to identify problems as they arise.”
He said that all emergency personnel that would respond to a real emergency involving a downed airplane in that area will be included in the drill.
“We are going to operate according to the township’s emergency operation plan,” Angelone said.
Rick Adobato, director of operations at Fayette EMS, commended the townships Office of Emergency Services.
“Luzerne Township is on the verge of busting out, you are really growing. I commend you for your proactive approach to these matters. You are a minority in Fayette County. It’s really great to see this,” Adobato said.
In other matters, Brownfield gave a presentation on the county’s search are rescue team, which is made up of 175 volunteer members, including canine, horseback, quad, ground, medical and scuba units.
Brownfield said any emergency services unit in the county can call on the search and rescue team for assistance.
“We don’t come in and take over. We’re just a tool. If you need us, we’re there to help,” he said.
Brownfield said the search and rescue team can be contacted through 911 and is free of charge.
In other business:
The deadline for federal fire grants is April 11. All departments are encouraged to apply.
– Request for federal aid for the snowstorm have been approved by FEMA. It is not certain when the money will be made available, but all departments will be updated as information becomes available.
– The township’s fire departments have received their AED’s. Inspection will begin next week with the units being inspected every two weeks.