By Joe Morey
News Editor
After receiving a new ladder truck delivered to LCO on Dec. 3rd, training was planned and occurred on January 6th. The LCO Fire Department hosted an Aerial Driver Operator class with eighteen firefighters from four departments participating.
According to LCO Fire Chief Marvin Mullet, the class was instructed by Jeff Frank, and the class was monitored by two other instructors. The topics covered were: Elevated Master Stream, Rescue, and Roof Operations. All the participants practiced setting up stabilization, raising and rotating the tower, and precise platform placement.
“Also covered were mutual aid scenarios and interactions with other apparatus and water sources,” Marvin said. “This training was just scratching the surface and we look forward to more complete utilization of this valuable resource.”
The four departments participating in the training were LCO, Town of Hayward, Stone Lake and Couderay.
The new ladder truck, a 2005 KME 102’ AerialCat Platform, was purchased from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus using ARPA grant monies.
“The tribe has the largest exposures in Sawyer County, aside from the Louisiana Pacific Plant, and we want to have the capability to handle our own emergencies,” Mullet stated. “There are many large projects, like the apartments on Round Lake School Road, and the University on Froemel Rd, that will require the fire protection that this apparatus will provide.”
Mullet said the fire department intends to utilize the SKED Rescue System for high angle rescue events. SKED is equipment for hoisting by helicopter in horizontal position spaces. When the patient is packaged, the stretcher becomes rigid. The durable plastic provides protection for the patient while allowing extrication through the most demanding confined spaces.