The Norton Fire Department is continually
training in order to provide the best possible service
to the community. Reinforcement of basic techniques
along with new techniques to meet present challenges
is the focus of the training. Department members and
outside training agencies are both utilized to provide
instruction.
Mutual Aid
dive drill with NAFD and NFD at Hathaway Pond Cape
Cod
September
16, 2008
The department requires all new members to attend
the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy 's recruit
training program. This program is an extensive 11-week
program covering over 450 hours of training. A wide
variety of topics are taught during this program,
which prepares the recruits for the career they
have chosen.
This past year, each group participated
in specialized search training. The application of
this method is utilized to find victims in a large
area. With the use of search ropes, members are able
to stay in contact with each other and have a means
of locating the exit. This training was conducted
in the dormitories of Wheaton College while students
were on summer break. Thank you to all of the Wheaton
staff members who made this possible, especially Paul
Meade
Each shift also received training pertaining
to natural gas and propane emergencies. This was provided
by Bay State Gas. Bay State employees came to each
shift to provide classroom training followed by a
tour of the LNG plant in Easton . Transport tankers
were made available to each group to learn how to
handle over the road emergencies. Thank you to Bay
State Gas Company for this opportunity.
Many department members participated
in technical rescue training provided by the Massachusetts
Firefighting Academy . During the combined 5 days,
high angle and confined space rescue techniques were
covered. Confined space training was conducted at
the Cobb St. pumping station. Thank you to Duane Knapp,
Water Department Superintendent, and his staff for
their assistance. High angle rescue training was conducted
at Fall River Fire Department's newly constructed
training tower.
Many other training drills were attended,
both on-duty and off-duty, by the members of the Norton
Fire Department. Most of the off-dutv drills are done
without compensation. This is a reflection of the
dedication the members have to provide the Town of
Norton with the best possible service.
In closing, I would like to thank all
of the businesses and individuals that provided assistance
so we could conduct training drills at various sites
within the community. Thank you to all of the other
departments of the Town of Norton for their support.
To all of the members of the Norton Fire Department,
thank you for your support, dedication, and professionalism
throughout the Year. Keep up the great work.
