WAITSFIELD, Vt. — June 3 — Participants in the Waitsfield-Fayston Fire Department's driver training program learned how to operate fire equipment safely. In order to hone their turning, backing, and heavy emergency vehicle maneuvering skills, firefighters had to navigate an obstacle course. In order to practice managing trucks carrying large volumes of water while moving uphill, crews also drove fully laden equipment on North Road.

Regular training is a crucial component of disaster readiness since fire apparatus operators must take into consideration the size, weight, stopping distance, and water load of their vehicles. The agency expressed gratitude to Waitsfield Champlain Valley Telecom for making the training exercise possible.