Firefighter training set

EAST PALESTINE -- Columbiana County firefighters will receive training Sunday and Oct. 26 paid for by the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency.
The training session will be at the East Palestine Fire Department but is open to all firefighters in Columbiana County.
East Palestine Fire Chief Brett Todd said about 15 East Palestine firefighters will take the 16-hour advanced course in confined-space rescues. Firefighters are required to take continuing education courses each year to maintain their certification.
Todd said that he doesn't know how many firefighters from other departments will participate, but that the training is essential.
Todd said the training will consist of classroom study and hands-on practice.
, mostly related to use of self-contained breathing apparatus, the air masks and tanks firefighters wear any time they enter a building or other confined space.
"Any time you go into a confined space, the tanks and masks are on," he said. "You always assume the air will be bad."
Silos and manure tanks, train engines and cars, manholes and tunnels for sewer and waterlines are other examples of confined spaces firefighters might encounter, Todd said.
He said in East Palestine there are city street crews working somewhere nearly every day to clear manholes and storm drains of debris, etc.
The railroad that runs through the city passes within a few feet of the Clark Street fire station, with trains passing by about every 15 minutes, Todd said.
tullis@vindy.com