’08-‘09 ROP Fire Tech Class Concludes

Sacramento County ROP fire tech students spent the last year learning what it takes to be a firefighter.

Last week, they met for their final class, which gave their families and friends a chance to see the students in action.

Twelve students and their invited guests convened at their campus behind Sacramento Metro Fire Station 21 on Greenback Lane. The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the Sacramento County Office of Education work in cooperation to make this ROP fire tech class possible.

The afternoon kicked off with a barbecue lunch, manned by ROP instructor Jose Rios, with preparation help from instructors Michael "Mick" Messoline and Craig Emery.

Students then geared up in their SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) to take part in a training exercise. Students were divided into either an engine company or a truck company.

The engine company was tasked to attach a supply line from their engine to a hydrant, stretch a pre-connected line to their building and flow water to simulate extinguishing a fire.

The truck company used forcible entry to get through the front door, employed a ladder to get to the second floor, conducted a search of the building and provided vertical ventilation.

But the exercise wasn't over yet.

An alarm sounded from a firefighter's PASS (Personal Alert Safety System)  in one part of the building and all of the students were challenged to find and remove the down firefighter from the building. Working in an environment of standing water, an obstacle course of fire hoses and the wailing sound of the PASS, the ROP students worked as a team to find and rescue their fellow firefighter.

"The exercise gave our students an opportunity to successfully combine the skills that they've learned this past year and showcase what they are now able to do," said Rios. "As usual, they really stepped up to the challenge and made us proud."

The afternoon concluded with a video presentation of photos taken by students through the year, which was compiled and set to music by Rio Americano High School graduate and ROP fire tech student William Smith.

"It was a powerful reminder of what this class has achieved together," said Messoline. "I know this class has been an important stepping stone to their future with the fire service."

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