Woonsocket, R.I. — June 8 — At the Blackstone River Gorge in North Smithfield, Woonsocket firemen participated in a specialized training exercise alongside technical rescue teams from many Rhode Island departments. Wide-area search strategies and high-angle rescue operations in difficult terrain were the main topics of discussion. Employees rehearsed coordinating rescue operations, patient packaging, rope rescue systems, and finding fictitious victims.

The training was also attended by firefighters from Central Falls, North Providence, Cumberland, Smithfield, Limerock, and Harrisville. Departments had the chance to improve communication, strengthen interoperability, and hone technical rescue skills throughout the exercise. Responders are better equipped to handle complicated incidents demanding specialized rescue operations when they get regular combined training.