13 hours ago
Amherst firefighters hone their skills in collaborative training event
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Amherst firefighters are bracing the heat, the flames and smoke — all during an annual fire training drill that connects the fire companies in the Amherst community.
'Things like today are allowing us to get together, strengthen our camaraderie, hone our skills together so we're comfortable with the people next to us even if they're not from our home fire company,' said Getzville Fire Company Public Information Officer David Morales.
Town wide day drills are held every month to help build connection between fire companies in the community. Once a year, they participate in a drill to help them practice responding to a call and putting out the flames together.
'When we get a fire, especially dayside when we don't have a lot of firefighters around, our fire departments like to work together, so when we work together like this we really get to know each other and know our skills and this just hones in our skills,' said Main Transit Fire Department Captain Jack Leising.
'These drills like this allow firefighters to come together that they might not be familiar with, working with a different officer or a different firefighter next to you so that way you get there and you know, 'oh, I've seen that guy before, I know they know what they're doing,'' said Morales.
For anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, officials say they'll teach you the skills and provide the training.
'These are people who give their most valuable resource, which is their time,' said Morales. 'It's a very honorable thing, it a very beautiful thing, becoming a firefighter is one of the best things that I've ever done. I would recommend anybody to do it because they give you the skills.'
'It's a very good brotherhood that we've had throughout the years,' said Leising. 'Not to mention, just the sense of community that you get just by helping your community.'
For more information on how to become a volunteer, click here.
Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.
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