Over the past few weeks, fire personnel participated in Metro Light Rail training conducted at the La Cienega Station. Mr. Ricardo Perez, a senior supervisor and instructor from Metro, taught six hands-on training classes. Fire Department members learned a variety of tasks that may need to be performed if an accident was to occur. The training focused on how to immobilize and power down the trains, isolating high voltage systems, gaining access to passenger areas and communicating with Metro Operations.
Fire department personnel also attended Auto Extrication Training that focused on a variety of new technologies in the auto industry. This training covered topics involving supplemental restraint systems, compressed gas cylinders, hybrid/electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and metallurgy. This new technology requires today’s firefighters to be well versed in how to operate in and around these systems safely during emergencies. Personnel incorporated hands-on training with the use of our new Holmatro extrication equipment. Goodman’s Tow Company provided three vehicles for use allowing cutting, spreading, and disassembling of the vehicles.