On December 4th and 5th members of the Bedford Hills Fire Department conducted a joint training on Aerial Ladder and Tower Ladder Operations and Placement with our good friends from the Yorktown Heights Fire Department. The 16 hour course was taught by Michael Wilbur of Emergency Vehicle Response (http://www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com) and included topics such as: Aerial Device History, Responding Safely, Ladder Failures, Ladder Testing, Aerial Ladder Operations, and Tower Ladder Operations. The class format was both classroom and practical/hands-on evolutions.

During the Sunday afternoon session, YHFD was dispatched two a two car motor vehicle accident with extrication on Route 100. BHFD responded with YHFD and assisted with the extrication of one person trapped as a result of a head-on collision. Following the accident, both departments returned to complete the class.

In addition to providing an excellent opportunity for both departments to gain additional knowledge related to operating aerial devices within their respective Fire Districts, BHFD and YHFD were able to continue to build upon their long history of conducting joint trainings and providing mutual aid to each other. Thank you goes out to Michael Wilbur for sharing his vast knowledge and YHFD for their hospitality.