By Julie McCay Turner
A small phalanx of Bedford and Concord firefighters gathered at an uninhabited house to field test their skills on Monday morning.
The house, which will soon be razed, was repeatedly filled with ‘smoke’ as teams of firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus entered to locate and rescue a mannequin.
According to Bedford Fire Chief David Grunes, the owner graciously allowed the department to use the house “to practice our core firefighting skills, including stretching a hose line through the house to the area of a simulated fire, forcible entry through locked doors, and search and rescue of a simulated trapped occupant.
“The additional benefit of this house is that it is on the Concord line,” continued Chief Grunes. “We do a considerable amount of mutual aid with the Town of Concord. They were able to send over a shift Captain, fire engine and ambulance to train with us. The more opportunities we have to train together, the more cohesively we [are able to] function at emergency incidents.”
The day ended with the rescue of a simulated trapped firefighter. “This builds trust within the group to save and protect ourselves,” concluded Chief Grunes.
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