Up Close & Personal

TRAINING Grain Storage Rescue Training

On June 6, 2021, members of Leipsic and Little Creek fire companies, traveled to Odessa Station 4 to attend grain storage rescue training. The training was sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, the Delaware Farm Bureau, and conducted by the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety (NECAS) which provided their grain rescue simulator and excellent instruction. Little Creek and Leipsic joined other companies in Delaware with the resources to safely attempt to rescue a person entrapped by grain, in a silo, bin or trailer.

The chute is normally made of six curved panels of aluminum, which is pressed into the grain around the victim to stop the grain from moving, while rescuer remove the grain around them to a level that the victim can, hopefully, climb out from under their own power. All the attendees were shown how to place the chute panels around the victim, interlocking each panel to the last as they encompassed the victim.

Attendees, had at chance to rescue a victim using the chute. As the victim scooped out the grain, or the rescuers used the auger that comes with the chute system, the victim was them able to lift themselves out of the grain.

Both fire companies added this training and the grain chute system to their toolbox.

Thanks again to Nationwide Insurance, Delaware Farm Bureau for selecting our companies for this rescue tool, and to NECAS for great training.

- Submitted by Barry Laise

WaterRescue Training

The members of several area fire department trained on Water Rescue evolutions recently. They started off with basic understanding of driving a boat, then actually driving the fourdifferent boats through an obstacle course to test theirskills. This was followed by man-overboard evolutions and recovery. Members took turns getting in the waterdoing rescues using a backboard, rescue sling, and Stoke’s basket with a flotation collarattached. Members were shown the easiest way to get the device (and person) out of the waterinto the boat safely. The next part of the training is night operations. This was a Delaware State Fire School class. Slaughter Beach, South Bowers and Indian Riverassisted with theirboats. - Submitted by Chief Terry Jester

Up Close & Personal

Harrington Fire Company members on July 1, 2021, at a tornado touchdown site. - Submitted by Earl Brode

On June 27, 2021, Hockessin FF/EMT Jordan Edgerton (pictured) along with Kevin Hovis and Olivia Alexanderrescued this baby kitten from a storm drain in Way Ridge. The kitten was unharmed and is doing well! - Photo by Kevin Hovis; submitted by MarkFelicetti

Rehoboth Beach members aftertraining on PWC (personal water craft) rescue techniques on July 9, 10 and 11, 2021, at Station 2 and Red Mill Pond. - Submitted by Chuck Snyder

Antique Corner

A“Twofer” forCranston Heights at CLAFAAMeeting

Approximately 20 members attended the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association (CLAFAA) meeting at Cranston Heights Fire Company (CHFC). CHFC got a “twofer” in the antique apparatus viewing category. In addition to the CHFC’s 1931 American LaFrance, neighboring Elsmere’s 1961 Autocarwas also available forviewing as the apparatus is being temporarily housed at Cranston Heights. During the meeting, a Society forthe Preservation and Appreciation of Antique MotorFire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA) certificate of recognition was presented to Chief Jonathan Sokira and company representative Les Warrick. The certificate recognizes the company’s restoration and preservation of theirAmerican LaFrance antique. On behalf of the CHFC, Les Warrick presented the CLAFAAwith a challenge coin commemorating the company’s 100th Anniversary which was celebrated in 2019. The challenge coin will be added to our CLAFAAmemorabilia display on the second floorof ourRepaupo Fire Museum.