SOUTH HERO, VT — August 20 — Firefighters from the South Hero Volunteer Fire Department recently spent their training nights focusing on improving essential skills related to fireground operations and equipment use.

During the "First to the Door" exercises, teams practiced deploying and charging a hose line while another firefighter forced entry, performed a quick search of the floor and identified and rescued a simulated injured person.

Firefighters also worked on keeping in touch with the command center throughout the exercise.

The next session was centered on pump and apparatus operations for those working toward becoming certified driver/operators.

Personnel must undergo practical training before being allowed to operate the department's apparatus, and they must take annual re-tests to keep their skills sharp.

For emergency responders, repetition is key.

Quick hose deployment, synchronized searches, victim removal and confident equipment handling all rely on developed muscle memory and strong team coordination.

The training supports a key objective: to be fully prepared before the emergency call comes in.