Sykesville Holds Live Burn Training Exercise

Members of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department conducted a valuable live burn training at a former group home in Eldersburg, Sunday September 30.

The building in 5700 block of Strawbridge Terrace was no stranger to fire and EMS crews who responded to the location for a fire and several medical emergencies over the years.

Extensive planning was required so that the training exercise would comply with state regulations and NFPA standards. Deputy Chief Ed Ruch, Jr. and Assistant Chief David Barnes led the charge in organizing the event, with the assistance of the other Sykesville line officers.

Crews were able to fight fire and conduct searches in a realistic environment inside the building. One room would be set on fire at a time. Engine crews would attack the fire, while truck crews searched for victims, then worked to open up the walls and ceilings and ventilate. Other crews handled the backup line and rapid intervention team duties. Teams would rotate duties as the exercise progressed.

Once the desired number of burn evolutions were performed, the building was allowed to burn to the ground. A fire watch detail stood by until the fire was into the foundation and smoldering.

Crews from New Windsor and Mount Airy also participated in the burn exercise, while West Friendship's Tower 3 covered Sykesville's first-due area for the day. Lineboro's Air Unit 7 filled air cylinders for the crews. A special thanks to New Windsor Captain Tom Coe and West Friendship Chief Mickey Day for their assistance in the planning and execution of the burn.

Sykesville's junior firefighters were also on scene providing support, as was the auxiliary.