The Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department responds to approximately 900-1,000 calls a year, many of which are to provide firefighting related services ranging from the investigation of alarms to hazard mitigation to structural firefighting. Thankfully, the number of actual “fires” that the Department responds to is fairly low, thanks in part to an increase in fire prevention and the enhancement of fire alarm systems. Without a doubt, the best fire is the one that is avoided!
Incident Response
The Department maintains two front-line engines and a 110′ midmount aerial ladder in addition to other apparatus. When an emergency occurs, members are alerted via a two-way radio system and respond either directly to the incident or to the firehouse.
If you see a fire engine approaching, be sure to pull your vehicle to the right side of the road and stop. If you see a vehicle with a flashing blue light, you should also pull to the side and give that person the right of way. It may be your house we are responding to!
Training
SBVFD members receive extensive training in structural firefighting. Before becoming an interior firefighter, all new members must complete an intensive 140 hour Firefighter I training program. Firefighter I consists of both classroom and practical hands-on training and covers such topics as:
- Fire service orientation and safety
- Fire behavior
- Fire suppression (including live fire training)
- Use of fire extinguishers
- Hose and fire streams
- Rescue
- Forcible entry
- Small tools and apparatus familiarization
- Use of self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Ground ladders
- Salvage and overhaul
- Ropes and knots
- Ventilation
- Basic first aid, CPR and the use of AED’s (automatic external defibrillators)
Upon successful completion of Firefighter I, many SBVFD members go on to enroll in other training programs, including Firefighter II and various specialty courses to participate in the Department’s Technical Rescue program.
In order to remain an active firefighter with the Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department, our members are required to participate in various training programs throughout the course of a year.