Fire Departments Conduct Bus Rescue Training Session
Published 10:50 pm Monday, March 25, 2024
The Southeast Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) and Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) hosted a training session for bus rescue on Saturday, organized by the Mississippi Fire Academy and held at the Southeast Firehouse.
Various local emergency response teams, including Pearl River County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Steephollow VFD, AmackerTown VFD, Picayune Fire Department (FD), Poplarville FD, Leetown FD from Hancock County, and Henleyfield VFD, participated in the training.
The course, led by Luke Smith and Donny Collins, was designed to provide practical skills through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on exercises. The Pearl River County School District generously donated the bus used for the training.
Participants learned various techniques for evacuating a bus, including through the main front door, back door, and potentially from the side or top if the bus had overturned. Rescuers took turns cutting pieces away from the bus to identify weak spots and reinforce their understanding of the vehicle’s structure.
Smith and Collins guided the responders, encouraging them to brainstorm and problem-solve independently while pointing out learning opportunities.
The training session was a crucial step in enhancing the readiness and skills of local emergency responders in handling bus-related emergencies, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle such situations effectively and efficiently.
