Posted on May 21, 2024
Swapping a sport coat for turnout gear, State Rep. Craig Fishbein recently joined the brave men and women of the Wallingford Fire Department and North Farms Volunteer Fire Department for a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) training evolution at the Central Fire Headquarters on Masonic Avenue.
Rep. Fishbein met with about 2 dozen of Wallingford’s career and volunteer firefighters before undergoing a small part of the rigorous training they receive weekly, monthly and annually. North Farms Volunteer Fire Chief Tim Wall and firefighter Jay Flis spent about 45 minutes demonstrating the equipment, answering questions, making sure of a proper fit, and explaining the apparatus and its safe operation before taking Rep. Fishbein into the smoke-filled building.
Deputy Wallingford Fire Chief and training officer Mike Shaw started the evolution with an all-hands meeting to discuss the parameters of the mission, which equipment they would be using and making sure everyone was prepared. Shaw said the night’s training was to enter the building to locate and rescue a firefighter who was trapped in the basement.
When the first group led by Wallingford Assistant Chief Jerry Getman exited the building, Rep. Fishbein, Chief Wall and their group headed inside.
