| This past Saturday, members of the OFD, the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Department, & the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department all came together for a day of lectures. Programs were delivered (1 morning/1 afternoon) on two different topics pertaining to our future & operational tactics.
Jeremy Donch of National Fire Radio presented his program “Bridging the Gap”, Preserving Tradition & Culture One Generation at a Time. This touched on many different topics including Recruitment & Retention, in-house issues and politics, and ways generational differences of the younger and senior members can be can be “bridged” to promote better interactions and building improved camaraderie.
The programmed was interrupted as 2 calls for service were received. The first, an odor of electrical burning at Walgreen’s with the 2nd a lift assist request by Ossining EMS.
The Afternoon session was presented by Josh Miller, Owner/Lead Instructor of Signal 73 Fire Training LLC and a Firefighter with the City of New Haven (Conn.) Fire Services Rescue Company 1. His topic “Two & a Half Wood Going Good”, Firefighting Operations for Wood Framed Buildings. These are some of the most frequent structures we operate in. They come with a variety of challenges and ways fire spreads rapidly. Josh is actually from town, a graduate of Ossining High School and a former member of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department. Was a pleasure to have him back in his hometown to share knowledge with some of his friends and mentors.
We are looking forward to this becoming a potentially annual event. A solid day of learning and camaraderie with our neighbors in which we all rely on one another when incidents escalate. On a side note, the Sleepy Hollow FD was suppose to join us. Earlier last week, they encountered a tragic loss of a members family and a fixture in their educational community. The OFD extends their condolences to Chief Bencosme and his family.
We again thank all involved in making this day a success, to all that attended, and to our instructors. |
