Depending on where a fire department is located, its firefighters are faced with unique challenges. Although all firefighters share a common mission, those who respond to emergencies in urban settings must be prepared for different scenarios than those who serve rural communities. Throughout the month of August, the Quarryville Fire Company has held special training sessions to prepare its members for incidents that are specific to the Southern End.

The Quarryville Fire Company's service area contains a large amount of farmland. With harvest season quickly approaching, the fire department's training committee decided to focus on preparing firefighters for agricultural emergencies and rescue. The committee holds training sessions on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and chooses a specific topic for each session.

On Aug. 8, members of the Quarryville Fire Company reviewed the topic of silos. They discussed the characteristics of different types of silos, methods of unloading them and the dangers of silo gasses. To be prepared for emergencies that may occur inside a silo, the firefighters familiarized themselves with the hazards caused by limited oxygen, and they learned how to empty the structure to rescue someone who has fallen into the material. Although these specific incidents are not likely to occur, the Quarryville Fire Company wants to ensure that its members are prepared for anything. "We try to focus on high-risk, low-frequency events," said Larry Lucarino, a member of the fire company. "A firefighter may only respond to a silo emergency once in their career, which is why it's important to train for."

In addition to equipping its firefighters with the expertise to handle rare emergencies, the Quarryville Fire Company also focuses on training for common scenarios. On Aug. 15, the fire company held a drill at a local farm with a simulated incident in which someone had become trapped inside of a skid loader. The firefighters examined stabilization points and used equipment such as hydraulic spreaders, bottle jacks, a floor jack and a ratchet strap before opening the rear of the vehicle to free the victim. The scenario was based on a recent emergency that the fire company responded to.

Through the rest of the year, the Quarryville Fire Company will continue to offer training to its members for specific scenarios. Firefighters will practice skills such as pumping water from fire trucks and responding to vehicle rescue calls. In October, members of the fire company will travel to West Chester for a burn class, which will involve live fire training in a controlled environment.

The Quarryville Fire Company is always accepting new members to serve as firefighters and in administrative roles; those interested in joining may attend any of the Tuesday evening training sessions to learn more. For more information, visit http://www.qfd57.com.