Bridgewater Firefighters Unite To Hone Skills, Train: Videos, Photos

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — When the alarm sounds these brave men and women drop everything they are doing, leaving their loved ones to rush into danger and save others.

That's why any chance they get to hone their skills is crucial and could be the difference between life and death.

Last week, a Bridgewater resident donated their home to the Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company for training before it will be demolished.

The fire company teamed up with mutual responders at Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company and North Branch Volunteer Fire Company to conduct several days of training including search and rescue, roof rescue, clearing smoke from inside, converting windows into doors, and more.

"Coming from a small department in a small town we need to take advantage of opportunities to train as often as we can. Keeping sharp and up to date with our training is essential to performing on a fire scene with professionalism and efficiency. Getting a donation like this allows our firefighters to practice skills at a level that we just cannot mock in a fire station," said Bradley Gardens Fire Chief Frank Ur.

These volunteers are responding to fires where they have no idea what could be inside the home or the layout. On top of that, the majority of the time the smoke in the home will be so thick firefighters can't see past their noses.

That's when it becomes all about touch and not sight. Being able to maneuver through the home, knowing how to break through walls if they are trapped, or following a hose line out of the home is important.

Watch some of the training below:

Search and Rescue training:

Cutting holes in a roof:

Simulate a room search for anyone inside:

Clearing smoke from inside the home:

How to Volunteer:

Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, Country Hills, and North Branch are all entirely volunteer-run and always looking for new members.

If interested in volunteering with Bradley Gardens, message the fire company's Facebook page at facebook.com/bgvfc21 or call 908-725-1250.

If interested in volunteering with Country Hills, message the fire company's Facebook page at facebook.com/CountryHillsVFC or visit countryhillsfd.org or call 908-725-7070.

If interested in volunteering with North Branch, message the fire company's Facebook page at facebook.com/NBVFC49 or visit nbvfc.org or call 908-725-2305.

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