Maple Grove Firefighters Conduct Safety Checkup
For Maple Grove’s 100 firefighters, Tuesday was an annual checkup. Officials made sure equipment worked and firefighters were physically able to do the job.
One of the checkups involved masks that each firefighter has. The devices were checked for leaks and fit.
“If your equipment doesn’t work, there’s going to be a problem,” said Maple Grove Deputy Chief Kurt Kramer. “Especially now in this day and age we’re looking at all the issues with potential cancer.”
Maple Grove Firefighters Put to the Test
The other part of the checkup involved ability. Firefighters underwent a series of exercises that simulate firefighting, like working with a ladder.
We followed firefighter Kelly Piller as he made his way through the obstacle course wearing about 50 pounds of gear. He had to crawl under a small table. He also pulled a heavy hose and used an ax, chopping 50 times without stopping. Crews only can have 10 seconds between each station.
“They take it to the extreme to keep us safe,” said Piller.
While the test is grueling, it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind in knowing you have what it takes to fight fires.
“So when the tones go off, we know that we’re going to be taken care of well and this is a huge part of it,” said Piller. “It’s really important to take it seriously.”
There are five fire stations in Maple Grove. Together they make an average of 1,000 calls per year.
