Lisbon Members Completed Hands-On Training for New Squad 8

Lisbon, ME — October 2 — Members of the Lisbon Fire Department continued their training on the department’s new Squad 8, as preparations advanced toward putting the vehicle into service.

Firefighters who are career employees, per diem staff, and on-call members participated in the training. They gained experience with the vehicle’s driving features, pump functions, and the equipment onboard. The department planned to continue these familiarization sessions over the coming weeks, allowing residents to see Squad 8 operating in the community during the process.

Before being allowed to operate the new apparatus, all members had to complete factory training, department-specific instruction, driving practice, pump operation training, and hands-on experience with the equipment. These steps were essential to ensure that operators understood the vehicle and could use its systems safely.

The next planned training session focused on a driving confidence course using traffic cones. The goal was to help members practice vehicle control and maneuvering in a controlled environment before they operated the apparatus during actual emergency responses.

Fire apparatus driver training goes beyond basic vehicle operation. The National Fire Protection Association’s standards for drivers and operators cover safe maneuvering, pump operation, and the skills needed to operate the apparatus according to the department’s specific response area requirements.

The ongoing training highlighted the time and effort needed to prepare new equipment for service. By involving members from different duty roles, the Lisbon Fire Department aimed to build familiarity and confidence before Squad 8 was officially put into operational use.