STURBRIDGE, Mass. (Aug. 19, 2025) — Off-duty members of the Sturbridge Fire Department practiced water rescue techniques Tuesday evening during a training session on Big Alum Pond.

Earlier in the day, on-duty personnel turned a scheduled operational readiness check of Tower 1 into additional training for Firefighter Courtney, who practiced both climbing and operating the aerial ladder.

Department officials said such exercises are part of ongoing efforts to maintain readiness.