Goodfellow welcomes back SAFD Published Feb. 25, 2014 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- This is part 3 of a 4-part series. San Angelo Fire Department recruits returned for the third of four training installments to the Louis F. Garland DOD Fire Academy here Feb. 19. This training session focused on the recruits' application of flat and pitched roof tactical ventilation. "For this type of ventilation, we are trying to get heat and gases to escape though the attic," said Lt. Stacy Wright, SAFD Station Seven. "We try to teach the students to mark before they cut, and they did that well [here]." Marking is when a recruit scratches an area to cut in the wood. Before using the trainer, some of the techniques the students also learned were how to set up a ladder, secure their partner and check for weak spots as well as support beams. "They're making minor mistakes, but you have to expect that because this is the first time they've tried it," said Pete Walsh, SAFD fire training coordinator. "I feel the students are progressing really well. We have a good bunch of firemen." Even though the recruits made some mistakes, a few of the recruits found just getting to and from the roof was the biggest challenge. "I think the hardest part was climbing the ladder," said Steven Gassiot, SAFD recruit. "We had to carry all of our equipment up and down." SAFD's last training session is scheduled for April. The recruits will learn how to control structural fires.
