ESSEX JUNCTION, VT. — August 6 — The Essex Junction Fire Department’s Thursday Training Crew, referred to as the “Day Crew,” finished training on aerial ladder operations using Ladder 3.The focus of the training was on how to place, elevate, and set up the aerial ladder on different types of terrain.

Firefighters practiced positioning the 105-foot aerial ladder at various buildings and at a firefighter’s home.

They also worked on placing the ladder on an incline at the fairground hill, where the slope required adjustments in how the apparatus was positioned and how the aerial was set up.

The department uses a 105-foot ladder/pumper as part of its equipment.

Department information listed Ladder 3 as a resource for use during fire operations.Recent incidents showed that the truck has been used for accessing rooftops and fighting fires.Training on sloped terrain helped the crews emphasize the importance of choosing a stable position before raising the aerial ladder.

The department stated that the drills helped improve operational preparedness and skill level.

For Essex Junction firefighters, the session provided repeated practice on an important piece of equipment skill.