Maryland Firefighters Create Entanglement, Mayday Training Prop

LARGO, Md. – There are some firefighters that want to be on every fire performing tasks they were trained to do and doing it the right way.  These are the firefighters that also are constantly thinking outside of the box, innovative and resourceful.  No waiting for the bell to ring here as the shift from Fire/EMS Station 846 built their own simulator and hope that other firefighters will take advantage of it.

Firefighters at the Largo Fire/EMS Station 846 built and conducted a firefighter survival simulator in the bay at the station using common items ground around the firehouse. The crew used 6 metal bed frames, multiple wires, and a backboard to simulate a wall, caution tape and mop sticks.

The firefighters practiced while wearing full PPE and used their assigned portable radios to simulate a MAYDAY transmission.  Multiple runs through different evolutions allowed the crew to try different methods of escape and to remove the SCOTT pack off their backs while maneuvering through the entanglement and remaining on air. Crews also practiced buddy breathing while two firefighters went through at the same time.

The simulator will remain in service to allow all the shifts to practice while on duty. The simulator will be open to neighboring stations to come by and train.

Personnel that constructed the training include:

Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant Curk Smart
Fire Fighter/Medic George Raburn
Fire Fighter Travis Graybeal
Fire Fighter Judson Fox
Fire Fighter Mike Kopowski
Fire Fighter Brandy Kreitzer
Fire Fighter Brooke Trexler
Fire Fighter/Medic Tracey Daily