Joint Training Effort

During the month of May, here at the Fort Buchanan Fire Department we had the pleasure to invite the members of the 215th Puerto Rico Army National Guard Fire and Emergency Services for a period of 15 continuous days in temporary orders. This was made possible thanks to the Fort Buchanan Fire Chief Wayne Doherty and the 215th group commander. The objective was to provide firefighting training, experience, support and for a first time a “puertorrican" army unit was able to be attached to a civilian fire department. The training included; dispatch and communications, forcible entry techniques, ventilation, Jaws of Life, air jax operations, vehicle training, pump operations, fire prevention inspections and driver's training. Some of the "training props" presented were homemade, (we have to do much with less) but it was worth the trip, and they and us got the end result = training. The most important part of the training was the brotherhood that from day one was expressed from both organizations.
This was the first one of many other training opportunities we will share with this group of professional’s. I'll like to express my most sincere appreciation to my co-workers (A and B shift) for being available and providing quality training for the members of the 215th.