Gettysburg, PA - Members took advantage of the beautiful weather to clear another firefighter as a qualified driver/operator on Rescue 1. This unit, a 2016 Seagrave with a Rescue 1 body, carries a wide array of specialized tools used for vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue, rope and high-angle operations, structural firefighting, and various technical emergencies—making operator proficiency especially important.

To earn their certification, new operators must complete a minimum of 10 hours of supervised driving on each apparatus, demonstrating safe vehicle handling and a solid understanding of the truck’s capabilities. They are also required to perform and pass a series of operational skill checks before being signed off.

Even after qualification, operators are expected to continue sharpening their skills and maintaining readiness. In the fire service, learning is ongoing, and training remains a core part of every career.