Race Team Wins Fire School Evolution

 (Belle Fourche, SD) – June 5, 2003 – While the rains came, firefighters from across South Dakota competed to bring home trophies. On Thursday, June 5, 2003, the “Race Team” of the Pierre Fire Department won the 3 man team evolution for the Truck Race at the annual South Dakota State Fire School held in Belle Fourche, SD.

After practicing for some time, the team participated in the evolutions winning the Truck Race. Evolutions are designed to test the skills of the teams while completing tasks similar to those done on the fireground. Various portions of the race test hose deployment, nozzle use, ladder raising and other skills.

From Left to Right:  Sean Kruger (Engine #3), Kevin Fravel (Engine #3), Deedra Gesinger (Engine #3), Brandi Stahlecker (Engine #1), Tami Darnall (Engine #3), Jason Roggow (Engine #3), Jason Reitz (Engine #1), and Charles Fetter (Ladder)

These exercises, while not done in a realistic environment, do help firefighters learn skills that can be used in actual fire scenarios. Personnel also learn to work as a team and to help each other to complete the mission at hand.

Races are conducted with equipment provided by the State Firefighters Association so everyone competing uses the same equipment to level the playing field.

  Firefighters complete the evolutions in their personal protective equipment; that is, in full bunker gear, helmet, gloves and boots. Breathing apparatus is not used. Competition is done outdoors.

Pierre is the capitol city of South Dakota with a population of about 13,000 people and operates entirely with a volunteer fire department. The department has an ISO rating of 3, the same rating as Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

For more pictures see www.pierrefiredept.org, click on “Photos”, then “2003 Race Team”.

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For more information about the Pierre Fire Department, e-mail the PFD webmaster.