5 minute drill at new 55 & Over Community
 
By East Brandywine Fire Company
July 29, 2020
 

For our weekly training we were given the opportunity to train at a residence being built in the new 55 & Over community at Culbertson Run Rd & Swinehart Rd in West Brandywine Twp. The focus on tonight's training was the "5 minute drill" or the first 5 minutes of the incident and all the tasks that need to be completed quickly and efficiently.

We had over 20 members attend the training and were split up among the four larger apparatus. Each piece of apparatus has multiple jobs that need to be accomplished once on scene.

Engine 49-2 which is typically going to be our first in piece of apparatus on house fires focused on securing their own water supply from the fire hydrant, advancing an 1 3/4 handline, finding and extinguishing the fire, starting an initial search for trapped occupants and more.

Ladder 49 which is normally second on scene was tasked with assisting with searching for trapped occupants, placing ground ladders around all sides of the residence, ventilation, placing the aerial to the roof.

Engine 49-5 & 49-1 on their arrival assist the first two crews with tasks that haven't been completed yet as well as pulling a secondary handline to assist interior crews.

The "5 minute drill" is something the members of EBFC practice often to make sure we are as prepared as we can be for any situation. we were able to run through two full scenarios tonight and everyone got to work in various roles.

After finishing up at the residence members rolled up all of the hose and returned to the station to get everything cleaned up and placed back into service.