Interior Members began thier annual recertifications in their bailout kits. These are referred to as “bailouts” but are essentially personal emergency escape systems that are issued to each interior member. If the member gets into a situation where their original path of egress is blocked in a detoriating situation while operating on an upper floor of a structure fire, they are able to deploy this and “bailout” a window to safety.

This is actually law in New York State that each active interior Firefighter of their agency must be provided to them with a bailout kit & annual refresher training. The refresher entails the overview of the system, its proper care and condition, tying off for a deployment, and actual jumps. The OFD conducts this in our Fire Headquarters using our bailout prop. We also have trained “trainers” that conduct this for our membershp.

We have on occasion when requested let other agencies use our facility, this helps during winter months or inclimate weather. Granted this happens under extreme conditons realtime, but during training a controlled emviorment ensures the proper setting for knowing the skills are compelted correctly. Doing this is also another way are able to work without mutual aid partners and neighboring agecies strengthen our working relationships on and off the fire ground.

This is one of the many way we ensure the safe operations of our members on the fire ground. Not every run is routine, within seconds a situation or conditions can change turning into a matter of life and death.