On Friday, May 4, Traditions Training instructors Nick Martin & Tony Kelleher headed north to

the town of Erskine Lakes (the last e is silent), New Jersey - located in northern NJ,

approximately 30 minutes from New York City.  This weekend's class focused on engine

company operations.  As a follow-up to several phone conversations, we arrived in town early

on Friday to meet with representatives from ELFD so that we could learn about the operations

of their Department.  Class focused on "street-smart" operations of a suburban engine

company.  The goal was to enhance the capabilities and efficiency using the equipment and

resources that were already in place.

After a few hours in the class room on Friday night, we headed to the Passaic County Fire

Academy on Saturday for a full-day of hands-on work.  The academy was situated on top of a

mountain with awesome views of the neighboring towns, mountains, valleys, and the NYC

skyline.  After we took in the scenery, the day was spent working on hoseline advancement. 

We worked with the hose-loads currently used by ELFD and demonstrated some alternatives. 

We also focused on:

• Advancing lines smoothly & efficiently

• The importance and duties of the backup FF

• Extending hoselines by various methods

• Coordinated fire attack