By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Maybe Decatur Clerk-Treasurer Eran Hackman best summed it up for everyone.
“An eye-opener for sure,” she said, emphatically, at the recent Decatur City Council meeting, referring to the experience she and two other city officials recently had while participating in Fire Ops 101.
The event offers a first-hand look at the experiences of a firefighter – a close-up, in-your-face look.
City Attorney Anne Razo and city council member Jenny Bowers-Schultz also took part in the exercise, as did Agnes Schoch, a member of the Geneva Town Council.
The quartet suited up in full firefighter gear and took part in simulated fire and rescue scenarios, including: entering smoke-filled structures, extinguishing fires, performing vehicle extrication, and responding to medical emergencies.
The exercise is, of course, closely guided by fire and EMS professionals.
Bowers-Schultz said at the meeting that she has always had great admiration for emergency personnel and thanked those holding and supervising the exercise. “I always felt safe … even inside the burn chamber where I couldn’t see anything,” she smiled.
“It was an amazing experience,” Razo added.
Hackman said she always has always had “a lot of respect” for first responders, “and now has even more.”
GAIN INSIGHT: The Fire departments of Adams County host the event, in partnership with Portland’s Local 5356 Firefighters Union, and it was held Sept. 26 at Portland’s training grounds following a meet and greet the night before at the Monroe Fire Department.
In announcing this year’s Fire Ops 101, Decatur Fire Marshal Tony Lothridge said participants would gain insight into the following:
* The complexity and danger of firefighting and emergency response.
* The importance of proper staffing, training and equipment.
* The physical demands and occupational hazards firefighters face daily.
“This is a rare opportunity for our community leaders to experience the intense physical and mental demands our firefighters face every day,” he noted. “Understanding these challenges helps build stronger support for public safety initiatives and the critical resources needed to protect our citizens.”
Abby Wilder, another member of Decatur City Council, and Jamie Gephart, Decatur’s community coordinator, participated in the first event, held last year.
Also taking part then were Geneva town officials Tina Booth and Len Burry, along with Thunderbird Products employee John Workinger.
Decatur Fire Chief Jeff Sheets thanked the Country Butcher in Decatur for sponsoring this year’s exercise.
About the Author
