Firefighter Training Scheduled at Capitol Building
PIERRE, S.D. – If you see fire trucks at the State Capitol Building tomorrow, don’t be alarmed. Pierre’s volunteer fire department will be training in the building Thursday evening.
Specifically, the volunteer team will train on the new fire standpipe system that was recently installed at the Capitol. The standpipe system provides fire fighters with 23 different water connection points throughout the building, allowing the fire department to connect their hoses with water sources on any floor of the Capitol.
Pierre Fire Chief Ian Paul says that the new system greatly improves response time and enhances the department’s ability to suppress fires.
“Prior to the standpipe system, firefighters would have to connect their hoses to the fire truck in the parking lot and then literally drag the hose, potentially hundreds of feet, to the impacted area,” said Chief Paul. “With the new system, we take our gear to the area of the fire and connect at the site to a water source. It makes us more nimble, enhancing response time and responder safety."
The training will start about 6:30 p.m. and last until 9:00 pm.
Pierre’s Volunteer Fire Department has 60 members. In 2016, the group completed more than 5,000 hours of training and responded to more than 190 incidents.
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