On Saturday February 10th East Brandywine Fire Company volunteers despite rainy weather trained on the "5-minute drill".

The drill proves to be an invaluable part of our success on the fire ground as it helps to define expectations for arriving personnel.

Essentially it compartmentalizes the first five minutes of a fire. We routinely focus on the following:

Mindset
Dispatch and Pre-arrival assessment (likely type of construction, hydrants, time of day, winds, resource availability, etc)
Driving safely
Proper apparatus placement
Size-up and 360 degree evaluation
Communication
Accountability
Deploying an attack line and a back-up line
Securing a water supply
Ventilation coordinated with attack (Horizontal and / or Vertical)
Throwing ladders 360 degrees
Securing utilities
Exposure vulnerability
Checking for extension and overhaul

FF/EMT Ben Mucha started the training with a review of the 5 minute drill and the group discussed various aspects in detail. Following the discussion Assistant Chief Joe Monestere set up a scenario for the participants in which the initial response was to an AFA which was upgraded.

The Line Officers would like to thank all those who attended Saturday's training, as well as those who routinely attend scheduled training sessions.