The primary role of the Fire Suppression Division is to provide trained personnel to respond to calls for assistance to the citizens of Minden Hills in a timely manner and utilizing the equipment provided.
Fire Suppression personnel (Firefighters) respond to a wide variety of incidents besides fires, including medical first response calls, carbon monoxide responses, motor vehicle collisions/auto extrication, gas leaks, hazardous materials responses and water/ice rescues.
The Fire Suppression Division reports directly to the Fire Chief and consists of one Deputy Chief, three Captains, a Training Officer and twenty-one firefighters. Suppression crews are also assigned the responsibility of ensuring the equipment used during emergency responses is maintained in working order. Since the need for this equipment is unpredictable, it is necessary that checks be made regularly to ensure that it works when required.
Firefighters are trained to the level of competency necessary to successfully respond to and deal with emergencies on behalf of the Township. To maintain competency, Suppression crews spend a considerable amount of time training for the various incidents that may arise within the Township.
Training topics include:
• Driver/Operator (emergency apparatus)
• Pumping/Drafting Operations
• First Aid, CPR and defibrillation
• Firefighter Survival, Mayday, and Rapid Intervention
• Hazardous materials response (awareness)
• Vehicle Extrication
• Protective Clothing (Personal Protective Equipment))
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Fire Streams
• Fire Suppression Techniques
• Incident Command