‘A privilege and an honor’
Greenwich firefighter recruits learn the ropes
GREENWICH — The town’s firetraining center on North Street has become a busy place this month.
The largest incoming class of probationary Greenwich firefighters in recent memory is being put through their paces. While the department typically makes one or two hires a year, this year five new recruits are filling out the ranks.
A number of recent retirements has meant the department had a large number of openings to fill, Fire Chief Joseph McHugh said. The graduating class of rookies who completed 17 weeks of training at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks are now embarking on seven weeks of training in Greenwich.
McHugh said he liked what he saw in the new additions to the 100-member department, as the rookie firefighters underwent training with ropes and emergency “bail-out” drills at the fire training facility. The new hires are Ryan Crook, Scott Lanahan, Joseph Battinelli, Jennifer Osher and Tim Lewis.
“They offer a lot of good things,” said McHugh: “Motivation, willingness to learn, confidence.”
Assistant Fire Chief Brian Koczak said he was pulled aside by instructors
at the fire academy and told, “you got a really good group.”
The new hires said they were excited to start training and working among longtime professionals.
“Anything we learn here, it will help us further down the line,” Lanahan said, and they were absorbing everything they could. He said he was motivated to be part of a long tradition, with a deep sense of camaraderie. “We’re here to serve, that’s what’s driving us,” he said.
Crook said he was well aware of the sacrifices that firefighters who came before him had made in the line of duty.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to go through this process,” he said, and training was a valuable part of the job.
Osher is now the third female firefighter serving in the department, and she has been getting encouragement and support from the other women in the service.
“They set a really good example to me,” she said.
On a hot June morning, the new firefighters trained on an emergency procedure for getting out of a burning building in a hurry if fire conditions turn lethal. After a few practice runs tumbling out of a second story window, the recruits were dripping with perspiration — and feeling more confident about their abilities and their teammates.
The standard gear that firefighters carry starts at 30 pounds, and the weight of the gear and the clothing often rises well above that. Stamina and fitness are an important part of the job, besides the experience and training.
A training instructor, Lt. Ryan Brainerd, walked the new firefighters through the process of setting up the ropes, harnesses and the auto-locking descent device they use to lower themselves to the ground. He watched their every move closely, offering suggestions and comments on their motions.
“Keep that head down,” Brainerd advised one recruit, “Out and down.”
To another firefighter, Brainerd said, “Take a second to get situated. Try to control your descent.”
At the bottom of the building and back on firm ground, Crook checked his equipment and prepared to do another descent.
“Felt great,” he said.