
August 26, 2015 · 0 Comments
The course was originally put together by a group in the United States, the Brotherhood Instructors, and has developed over the years as more and more departments became involved in this training session.
“The object of the training is so that when our firefighters get called to a situation where someone is trapped in a machine of any kind, they will have both the means and the know-how to get them out,” explained Bruce Beatty, Training Officer for the Orangeville Fire Department.
The course is a full-day, 10-hour session, and teaches firefighters how to use some new, specialized equipment for helping extract people safely from different machines, as well as focusing on a common-sense approach for each given scenario.
“When we first discussed hosting this specialized training, our intention was to invite surrounding fire departments,” said Mr. Beatty. “However, the response from our own firefighters was so great that we have filled all the spaces available.”
The training course will be held on September 12 at the station, so the Fire Department is requesting that all donations be made before then.
They are looking for old or broken equipment such as meat grinders, farm equipment and parts, snowblowers, rototillers, augers of any type, or anything else that a person could get trapped in. Should someone have equipment and donations but no means to get it there, the department is willing to make arrangements for pick-up.
“Participating in courses like this is a way for both the department as a whole and our firefighters to try and give local citizens the best kind of service that we can,” said Fire Chief Andy Macintosh.
Mr. Beatty added that depending on how the training day goes, they may look into hosting Man and Machine again in the fu- ture.
For more information, or to schedule a donation drop-off or pick-up, contact Bruce Beatty at 519-941-3083 x 6523 or e-mail bbe- atty@orangeville.ca.