On Wednesday night, 30 of Croton's Bravest participated in a Department Drill at the Millwood FD Training House on Route 134. The focus of the drill was residential fire operations - something that would be used less than two hours after the drill concluded at a house fire in the village.

Members rotated through five different evolutions simulating a residential structure fire. The crews took turns as the primary & secondary search teams, fire attack team, placing ladders and as the FAST. Department Training Division members - including Deputy Chief John Munson, Ex-Captain Jim Ferguson and Engineer Dave Altamura - reviewed search principles, the differences between a primary and secondary search, using the Thermal Imager, selecting and placing ground ladders and advancing the first hose line into a burning building.

Our department is made up of five companies, although when we have an emergency, we frequently work together. Instilling this concept this evening, participants were split up and put with officers from different companies. The five teams were led by Captain Chuck Conti (E118) & Lieutenants Tom Mosler (E118), Dave Rinaldi (E119/T10), Matt Stewart (E119/T10) & Josh Karpoff (R18). These Officers, as well as Deputy Chief Phil Dinkler, Safety Officer Rocco Cusano and Firefighter Jake Dinkler, also took turns as the Incident Comander during the evolutions.

These types of drills allow us to sharpen our skills to provide the best level of service that we can. Once again, we extend our appreciation to the Millwood FD for allowing us to use their facility, which allows us to constantly improve.