The Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department operates a team of firefighters who specialize in and prepare for the daunting task of firefighter rescue. In plain English, these members prepare for incidents where we may have to save one of our own. For our department, this team of well-trained members has been in existence for nearly 18 years.

While some of the members assigned to this unit may have changed over the years, our dedication to this task has not. Members train together on a constant basis, and that was what they did this muggy, dreary Monday.

Using the versatile Millwood Fire Department's Training House - which we have done many times - our team reviewed procedures for not only handling one firefighter emergency - but four simultaneous ones - tonight. Both scenarios began with the team arriving on the scene of a "structure fire." One of the scenarios didn't play out until the team was "on scene" and actually there for a few minutes before the "MAYDAYs" were transmitted.

In the first evolution, the team initiated a search and rescue of a disoriented firefighter in the basement. While this was occurring, two firefighters on the second floor transmitted a MAYDAY reporting they ran out of air and needed to be rescued via a window. FAST members simultaneously assisted the member in the basement while assisting the two on the second floor - one of which was lost and had to be found after a quick search. As a "PAR" was being conducted, it was realized that a fourth firefighter was unaccounted for and the team made entry and located them as well.

The second evolution started as the team arrived, with a simulated explosion on the second floor with multiple MAYDAYs and unaccounted for members. One firefighter was located outside under a pile of rubble, while two were found inside. After conducting another recon of the scene, the fourth member was found on a porch roof and rescued from a ground ladder.

Each of the evolutions rotated our Team Leaders between the Team Officer and Incident Commander roles, giving them a chance to sharpen their skills in these important positions.

The Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department thanks Chief Greg Santone and his Millwood FD for always allowing us the use of their facility to improve ourselves.