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Aerial Training Helps Spring Fire Reach New Heights

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SPRING, TX – From June 6th through 9th, Spring firefighters participated in training on the new Spring Fire Department Ladder 75. Currently, Ladder 75 resides at Station 71, where the training was held, until construction is done on its home in the bay of Station 75.

Ben Schmidt, Pierce Manufacturing Aerial Delivery Technician, taught the course in two parts. The first part of the aerial training took place in a classroom setting where Schmidt reviewed all the new features of the 107′ Ascendant, the newest ladder truck from Pierce. Afterwards, the firefighters went outside and practiced hands on with the new three position stabilizer, single axis chasse and ladder that reaches 100 feet.

Photo by Joe Buvid

“This training is important because it gives us the basic safety overview of the truck itself,” Schmidt said. “Proper set up, proper operation of the ladder so that the firefighters know how to use it.”

While outside, firefighters, such as Brent Silvey, were able to climb on top of the truck and learn how to operate the ladder and hose controls hands on.

“We went over the basics of our new truck, Ladder 75,” Silvey said. “We learned the basic operations for rescue and for water operations as well.”

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About 40 firefighters were in attendance each day of the training. While most attendees had experience on aerial trucks, such as Tower 70, for some this was a new experience.

“[When we get new equipment] we have a mandatory training to start with and then everybody who is on shift or that’s going to be working with the truck will go ahead and do training more frequently until we become proficient with the truck,” Silvey said.

Ladder 75 will be helpful in the growing Spring area. With new midrise buildings and more houses popping up, Spring Fire is working hard to serve their residents to the best of their ability.

“It helps if we’re going to be climbing on large building or if we’re going to laddering at any of our midrises to save occupants,” Silvey said.

Photo by Joe Buvid

Hannah Falcon is a sophomore Communication major at Texas A&M University. A Staff Writer and Life & Arts Editor for the Texas A&M Battalion, Falcon is spending the summer as a volunteer writer for Spring Fire Community News.

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