Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy: Special Operations

Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy participants learn about fire investigation.

All photos provided courtesy of Al Stasch.

Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy participants tested gloves used in ice rescue.

Greetings, Villa Park!

We call it the Villa Park Fire Department, but really, the individuals who work there do so much more than fight fires. Last week, the Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy learned about the department’s special operations.

In addition to being firefighters and paramedics, Villa Park Fire Department members are also trained for a great deal of other emergency situations. Many of the firefighters specialize in specific types of rescue.

Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy participants try on hazmat gear.

As academy participants, we tried on hazmat suits used in hazardous material operations, tried throwing ropes used for water rescue, tested out the gloves used during ice rescue and learned how the professionals investigate fires. We ended the evening working as a team to simulate a technical rescue in a stairwell. Each of us took turns wearing a harness, while the rest of the academy participants worked together to lower us down the stairs using rope and a pulley.

Villa Park Citizens Fire Academy participants practiced a technical rescue.

Despite what some may guess, I felt little worry while hanging helplessly from the rope in a harness. Working on the rescue side felt much more difficult as we moved as a team to maneuver the person playing the victim through the stairwell without letting them swing into the metal railing or slam up against the brick wall. With some good old fashioned teamwork, we successfully lowered everyone safely.

We have just one week left before graduation, but we won’t be sitting around taking notes. The Citizens Fire Academy will conclude with an auto-extrication scenario.

Sincerely,

Grigs

AKA

Mari Grigaliunas
Village of Villa Park
Public Information Officer
mgrigaliunas@invillapark.com
Office: 630-592-6082
Connect with Villa Park on Facebook, Twitter, and the village website.