No.44 Observation of Fire Brigade Basic Training

(Inagi Newsletter July 15, 2015 issue)

On May 17, 2015, I had the opportunity to observe the ordinary education training as a form of encouragement for the fire brigade. This training was practical, using a building scheduled for demolition within the old Omaru No. 1 Municipal Housing complex. Normally, opportunities for fire brigade members to train inside actual buildings are rare, making this a valuable experience for me as well.
In fact, before the reconstruction of the now high-rise Omaru Apartments was completed, there was a similar training conducted using a building scheduled for demolition, but at that time, destruction and water discharge were not allowed.
However, this time there were no specific conditions regarding the use of the building scheduled for demolition, and destruction and water discharge were permitted within the necessary scope for training.
The training scenario involved a fire starting from a room on the second floor, with water being discharged from the south balcony and breaking into the north entrance door to discharge water. The iron entrance door was cut with engine cutters provided to each division, and after unlocking it, the fire hose was extended from the stairs to enter the room and discharge water, allowing all members from divisions 1 to 8 who participated to experience this training.
Since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the city has been strengthening the provision of various equipment to the fire brigade, but the key to disaster response is still skilled personnel.
It is reassuring for the citizens that young people who engage in the fire brigade while managing their own work can further enhance their skills through such advanced training.
Even though it was May before the rainy season, the sunlight was dazzling from the morning, and I express my deep respect to the brigade members who seriously engaged in the training while sweating in their fireproof clothing, and I would like to once again thank the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Urban Development for kindly providing the facility this time.