School bus accidents are rare but present unique challenges to fire/rescue personnel; 27 Madison County firefighters from eight fire departments participated in the training delivered by Madison County Office of Emergency Management.
The 16-hour training program provided firefighters a great opportunity to learn about the anatomy of school buses and how to apply their automobile extrication skills and tools to much larger and stronger vehicles.
“This course was a full on chance for firefighters to practice ripping and tearing busses apart. These skills are needed to be able to safely remove children involved in serious bus accidents. The course was mostly hands-on training- the training firefighters need and crave”, according to OEM Fire Coordinator Doug Shattuck.
Firefighters from Leonardsville, Eaton, Earlville, Munnsville, Smithfield, Oneida City, Hamilton, and Madison received the training.
The instructor for the course was Ron Moore, from Plano, Texas.
“Ron Moore is arguably the best vehicle rescue instructor in the Nation. His expertise and teaching ability is legendary. It was a pleasure to introduce Ron to the students as I have known and worked with Ron for nearly 40 years, according to Ted Halpin, OEM Director.
The course was hosted by the Hamilton Fire Department with support from the Hamilton DPW, Hamilton CSD, Birnie Bus, and Dutcher’s Auto and Truck Parts in Morrisville. “This training could not occur without the support of the school and companies like Birnie and Dutchers who are willing to donate old buses, said Doug Shattuck.
Firefighter training opportunities in Madison County and emergency preparedness information can be seen at www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/em.