(Additional photographs below.)
Haverhill firefighters are receiving drills in difficult and life-threatening scenarios this week as the state Department of Fire Services brings its trailer-mounted training unit to the city.
Firefighters are taking turns training over the next four days in full gear and using local trucks and equipment to tackle dangerous situations in smoke-filled rooms. On the first day, Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien painted one such scene for WHAV.
“In this case, it’s a barrel under the stairway that they enter in. That means, you got a compromised stairway. It’s one way in and you may not get out if that’s compromised,” the chief explained.
In another scenario, the chief discussed when firefighters have to drop into an area, such as to go below a boat deck, where escape may be difficult. “In this case, it simulates a basement fire where they enter from the top down. It’s a very dangerous condition when you walk in like that knowing that you’re walking in the one entry—that’s your way in and way out a lot of times.”
Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jake Wark said the fire marshal’s office has had only one mobile fire training unit to share with all of the state’s smaller to mid-sized communities. Now, thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant program, the state has been awarded $725,000 for another unit
Two elected officials on hand the first days recounted their takeaways. Rep. Ryan Hamilton said it was eye-opening to learn that adding a firefighter to a crew can “make or break” success.
“Just seeing the ease of which they move when they had a third person in there—and the struggle with two people—that’s safety for our firefighters,” he said.
Similarly, Haverhill mayoral candidate and City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett noted the importance of ongoing training. “It’s a great training opportunity for our firefighters. They all go through it in the academy, but as a company, they get to go through and work—see different scenarios and work different scenarios. It’s a good opportunity for them to just refresh,” she said.
Haverhill Firefighters Local 1011 President Tim Carroll, who will also be taking his turn this week, thanked the Department of Fire Services. “It’s great for our members and its great for the politicians to see what’s going on and look at real-world situations for us,” he said.
The mobile training unit is operating from the Broadway Business Park.
