“It ain’t like it used to be!” The old cliché certainly is appropriate for today’s fire service compared to yesterdays. But, what about tomorrow- what will the fire service be like in an ever changing world? The answer to that question is: it will be a fire service filled with opportunities and challenges.

The future of the fire/ emergency medical service is being driven by changes in society. These changes include new expectations of our residents that we proudly serve, such as greater accountability for the use of public resources and improving the overall efficiency of programs and services, keeping pace with society needs.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, “…but what have you done for me lately”? As I am writing this column, our region is being bombarded by hopefully the last snow storm. Our fire and EMS crew have returned from a single car accident on the icy snow covered interstate. Cold and wet, yet satisfied of helping another person during their time of need. I look at the make up of my crew and realize how proud I am of this diverse group of volunteers and the dedicated time invested being efficient, reactive and professional that leads up to this satisfaction fervor.

The Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company responded to well over 600 calls for help last year, at all hours and all types of weather. But let me fill you in on how we achieve the level of skill and proficiency to provide you, your family, and your guests. Our training, accomplished through teamwork, hard work and ingenuity has encompassed the effective, crucial process of rescuing a person who has slipped through the ice, special rope knots and rigging to hoist injured people on rough terrain, and the skillful art of removing a twisted vehicle from a person entangled in the crushed metal are some of our regular training activities. Last month I wrote about how the fire company saved a Hemlock Farms home. 95% of home fires are extinguished by a single fire hose line, and correct hose line placement has saved numerous lives. Our firefighters continuously rehearse a variety of industry standard hose line evolutions to perfection for just that purpose. Saving that home was no accident, but the result of practiced, skillful training. Our firefighters diligently train on technical rescue; we carry a heavy duty air bag system that can lift up the front of a truck. We practice different scenarios, to perfection, where we have to lift this large truck up off the ground in a timely and safe manner.

Our Emergency Medical Staff continues to train even though, as an EMT, they have to successfully accomplish over 150 hours of required state training. The EMT’s continue to train on cardiac emergencies, spine and head injuries, poisoned victims and overdoses. Burns, weather related emergencies, fainting spells and drowning victims are also extended courses for refresher and skill maintenance. Our EMT’s are proficient in immobilizing victims from motor vehicle crashes. Even our ambulance drivers keep sharp by taking emergency vehicle operator review courses, plus how to lift and carry patients.

Our dedicated Fire Police Officers have been steadfast in training to control a highway or roadway scene so that the firefighters and EMT’s can operate in a safe environment. These Guardians position themselves between the emergency workers and oncoming traffic never knowing “who knows who” is behind the wheel. The Fire Police Officers will also be taking expansion instruction such as arson scene preservation courses for structure and wildfire events that are determined suspicious.

This is just to name a few of the many vital types of continuous training that the multi-purpose fire company is proudly committed to. The product of these efforts will be a healthy, viable department ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Not all fire departments are created equal. Often, what you see is not necessarily what you get. But as a thirty year veteran of different career and volunteer fire departments, I have hardly met a more dedicated and talented group of volunteers dedicated to serving you today.