Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Garden City Park Fire
Department takes training and safety very seriously. Assistant Chief in Charge of Training, Rob
Mirabile said, “It’s my job to make sure our brave firefighters go home safe at
the end of the day”. Over the last year
or so fire departments, have been in the process of purchasing Personal Escape
Systems for all its firefighters. These
systems commonly known as ‘Bail-Out Ropes’ were mandated by law and stem from
events in which trapped firefighters jumped from windows to escape burning in a
fire. Many of those firefighters
suffered career ending injuries and several perished. The most notable case was when 6 FDNY firefighters
jumped from a Bronx apartment building on January 23, 2005. Two of the six died that day and one of the 4
survivors passed in November of last year from complications as a result of the
perilous jump. That day, known now as ‘Black
Sunday’ sparked legislation that mandated fire departments put specific systems
and training in place to help prevent such a tragedy from
happening again.
The legislative mandate seemed to
make perfect sense, but the cost of purchasing and training can overcome many
departments. That’s when GCP really went
to work. Under the direction of William
Rudnick, Chief of Department; the GCP Operational and Administrative staffs
formulated conscientious budget planning to allow for these systems to be
purchased. Starting last month
firefighters have begun a rigorous regiment of classroom and practical training
to learn how to effectively deploy these systems in the time of emergency. To date, more than 70% of Garden City Park
Firefighters, Fire-Officers, and Chief-Officers have been certified on the use
of the system. The firefighters became
so familiar with the system they were able to deploy from a simulated second
story window, while in full turnout gear, breathing through a self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA), and blindfolded.
Chief Rudnick stated, “It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction
seeing the department’s firefighters come together and train this hard. They now have another tool to help them get
out alive and go home safely to their families”
