Local fire departments train in simulated bus crash
Shown are Lisbon Lt. Adam McCulloch, left, and Hanover Township Capt. Tim Roush. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Lisbon, Hanover Township, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments participated in a joint training scenario simulating a crash between a bus and a passenger vehicle with entrapment. The bus and car were donated by HMF Recycling, which also hosted the training at its property in the industrial park. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)
The Lisbon, Hanover Township, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments participated in a joint training scenario simulating a crash between a bus and a passenger vehicle with entrapment. The bus and car were donated by HMF Recycling, which also hosted the training at its property in the industrial park. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)
Shown is Hanover Township Capt. Tyler Roush. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown is Winona Firefighter Kaleb Porter. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown are Lisbon Firefighter Nate Clark, left, and Hanover Township Firefighter Brandon Berry. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown are Winona Lt. Garrett Brantingham and Lisbon Firefighter Nate Clark. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown from left are Lisbon Firefighter Eric Adams, Hanover Township Capt. Tyler Roush, and Lisbon Lt. Adam McCulloch. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown are Lisbon Lt. Adam McCulloch, left, and Hanover Township Capt. Tim Roush. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Lisbon, Hanover Township, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments participated in a joint training scenario simulating a crash between a bus and a passenger vehicle with entrapment. The bus and car were donated by HMF Recycling, which also hosted the training at its property in the industrial park. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)
The Lisbon, Hanover Township, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments participated in a joint training scenario simulating a crash between a bus and a passenger vehicle with entrapment. The bus and car were donated by HMF Recycling, which also hosted the training at its property in the industrial park. (Photos by Morgan Ahart)
Shown is Hanover Township Capt. Tyler Roush. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown is Winona Firefighter Kaleb Porter. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown are Lisbon Firefighter Nate Clark, left, and Hanover Township Firefighter Brandon Berry. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown are Winona Lt. Garrett Brantingham and Lisbon Firefighter Nate Clark. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Shown from left are Lisbon Firefighter Eric Adams, Hanover Township Capt. Tyler Roush, and Lisbon Lt. Adam McCulloch. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
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LISBON--Three local fire departments conducted a collaborative training scenario simulating a bus crash with the help of a local business Saturday.
The Lisbon, Hanover Township and Winona Volunteer fire departments participated in a special training scenario Saturday simulating a crash in which a school bus overturned on top of a passenger vehicle with entrapment. The training was held in the industrial park at HMF Recycling, which also donated the bus and vehicle.
Lisbon Fire Chief Mark Hall said that the training was intended to model a severe crash and that HMF Recycling had "gone above and beyond" in setting up the scenario for them.
"You hope it never happens, but something like this is a possibility. We're training for a worst-case scenario," Hall said.
Hall said that the scenario would give the participating firefighters opportunities to practice working with the Jaws of Life and spreaders, as well as stabilizing and cribbing vehicles after a crash and safely extricating trapped passengers.
In addition to skill development, Hall said that training with a simulated emergency scene prepares firefighters to immediately jump into action in the event of a real emergency.
The training also reviewed how to address challenges in working with a vehicle the size of a bus, as well as challenges unique to the construction of busses like identifying what points of their structure can safely be used as point of contact for stabilizing struts and lifting equipment. Lisbon Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Gresh said that this practice would also translate to other types of buses like charter and tour buses.
The departments also reviewed one another's emergency equipment and where it is stored within their vehicles to ensure they are familiar with and can utilize them during mutual aid responses.
"The guys are all great, from all three departments, and it's great to be able to train together. Joint training like this is great for building camaraderie, and it's great for morale, too, because we all love getting together," Hall said.
Hall said that it's very rare for a fire department to have an opportunity to train with an actual bus and that the departments were fortunate for HMF Recycling had donated one.
Gresh said that Lee Houlette, the owner of HMF Recycling, called him about a month ago and said that he had received a few school buses, and asked if the fire department would like to use one for training. He also said that Houlette frequently donates vehicles and use of the property to the department for training.
"He was generous enough to donate the vehicles, set this up for us, and let us use their facility for this training. We're very thankful to them and appreciate all the support they've given us," Hall said.