Vehicle Extrication

Training

During a Motor Vehicle Accident there a times where the patient requires to be removed from the vehicle (Extrication). MRVFC uses both hydraulic and battery powered extrication tools such as, Cutters and Spreaders (Jaws of Life), Rhino tool, window punches, and Halligan's. Firefighters can Removes your cars door, roof and roll your dash forward towards the front of the vehicle quickly and efficiently so you can be safely removed from the vehicle and be turned over to EMS for treatment. You can see below members of MRVFC on a drill night practicing and teaching newer members how to cut a vehicle apart to rescue someone who is trapped inside a vehicle. Cars used for this drill are donated to the fire company by various scrap yards.

Bailout Training

Members of MRVFC complete this training yearly due to this being a life saving skill for Firefighters. After a fire in New York City where firefighters were trapped on the fourth floor and required to jump from the 4th floor of an apartment building for a chance to survive New York State made having a bailout a requirement for all interior Firefighters. In the video below you’ll see one of our members perform a bail out from our second story training window located at our Station 2.

Forcible Entry

Sometimes Fires Happen when your not home and your door is locked. But firefighters still need to get into your home to save your pets and property. Only in situations where there’s an immediate threat to loss of life or further damage to your property are firefighters allowed to use forcible entry. Firefighter’s may also be called to assist EMS with entry into a home or place to access the patient. Firefighters will try every single way possible to access the patient before resorting to forcible entry. The primary tools used for forcible entry are a Halligan and an axe. The Halligan can be used in several different ways to open a door. when needed a flat head axe and be used as a hammer to push the Halligan into tighter spots for better leverage. Pictured below is MRVFC practicing forcible entry.

Boat Operations

Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company respond's to all water emergencies on Saratoga lake using a boat docked on the west side of the lake located just off of Malta Ave ext. Firefighter’s practice water rescue and boat safety several times throughout the summer. MRVFC members must take a boaters safety course before being granted a chance to start driver training on the boat. The boat is also equipped with a portable pump that can be used for a boat fire or a house fire on the lake.

FAST/RIT Training

A Firefighter assist and search (FAST) or a Rapid Interventive Team (RIT) is a team of interior Firefighters who are called to a structure fire to rescue and Firefighters who are in need of assistance. FAST/RIT will not enter a structure until all immediate life threats are no longer there. While on scene some members of the team may put up ladders or assist in exterior operations. A FAST/RIT is typically Called by a mutual aid Fire department so you can focus all of your departments resources onto the fire suppression and life saving measures needed. Currently the Saratoga Springs Fire Department is Malta Ridges automatic FAST for any structure fire within our district. Below are some photos of our members training for FAST/RIT.

The Members of Malta Ridge Volunteer fire Company participate in weekly drills as well as the opportunity to take state classes through Saratoga county and the other surrounding counties. When first joining the Fire Company it is a requirement to take either the Fire Police class or Firefighter 1 depending on what position in the fire company you would like to hold (Interior/Exterior Firefighter or Fire Police). Upon Completion of these courses you will receive a New York state Certification which will never expire. During Firefighter 1 you will train in all aspects of firefighting including but not limited to, Exterior Fire operations, Search and Rescue, Proper equipment maintenance, Forcible entry, First Aid and CPR, Rope knots, Interior Firefighting operations, and Live car / Structure fire training. Firefighter 1 is about 120 hours of in class time while Fire police is about 50. During the Fire police class you will learn how to Direct Traffic, Properly shut down roadways, and how to best keep everyone on scene and off scene safe by keeping the public a safe distance away. On top of the state training MRVFC trains every week on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm until 8:30 to 9 pm some nights. afterwards the members meet at station 1 for dinner. The fire company only requires a set amount of drills to stay as an active member due to the fact that the Fire company is a volunteer agency. Below you will see examples of our drills as well as a brief description of what we are training for.

Live Fire Training

Live fire training is essential for ensuring the members of MRVFC have the best chance to perform their best when its someone’s house that’s on fire. Live Fire operations include Putting ladders up, Search and Rescue, Fire extinguishment, and overhaul. Firefighters train with live fire multiple times a year. In the video below you can see the crew of an engine make entry into the training building to put the fire out. This training building is located in Ballston Spa at the Saratoga County Public Safety Complex.

Ice Rescue

Ice rescue is another yearly drill that is trained with our mutual aid department Round Lake. Ice rescue requires fast and careful movements so the rescuer does not also fall through the ice. During ice rescues Firefighter's will wear a thermal insulated suit to protect them from the cold of the water. The firefighters will then have a rope tied to them secured onto something ashore so if something goes wrong or once firefighters reach the patient then can be pulled back in by firefighters ashore. firefighters also have different inflatable rafts used to get to and from the patient. MRVFC has a yellow inflatable raft called the Banana Boat. Pictured below you can see member of both RLFD and MRVFC training for an ice rescue on Round Lake.

Emergency Vehicle Operations Course

Emergency Vehicle Operations Course or EVOC is a drill that allows newer members learn how to operate and drive fire trucks in a safe manner. This drill also allows drivers to requalify on the trucks as required yearly. This drill is done in an empty parking lot with a cone course set up for the drivers to complete. This drill also allows newer members to learn how to run the fire trucks pump if there is a fire hydrant available. pictured below is an EVOC course.