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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Central firemen use the station’s ladder truck to practice placing a bucket into a 55-gallon drum.

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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

A ladder truck belonging to the Clemson University Fire and EMS Department conducts a simulated rescue of one of its firefighters during a recent four-day training session with the Central Fire Department.

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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Firemen from the Central and Clemson University fire departments recently took part in aerial operations training involving the use of ladder trucks held at Central Fire Station 2 across from Daniel High School. In addition to Central’s ladder truck, the Clemson University Fire Department sent their 100-foot ladder truck for use during the four-day session.

CENTRAL — About 16 firefighters representing Clemson, Central and Six Mile recently spent four days practicing rescue scenarios and learning more about how to operate ladder trucks.

Central Fire Chief Ed Reynolds said the class, called “Aerial Operations,” involved firemen placing ladders from trucks used by his department and the Clemson University (CU) Fire Department against buildings and rescuing individuals. The class, taught at Central Fire Station 2 across from Daniel High School, is accredited through the South Carolina Fire Academy.

Reynolds also said that firefighters, prior to driving any fire truck, are required to obtain a commercial drivers license and take a course from the South Carolina Fire Academy. The CU

Fire and EMS Department and Central Fire Department feature ladder trucks and firemen received “hands on” experience with each.

During one exercise, Reynolds said a five-gallon bucket was placed on the end of a 100-foot ladder and firemen were required to place the bucket into a 55-gallon drum. Another exercise involved placing the ladder onto the bed of the fire truck and laying it on the building as if conducting a rescue.

“We have yet to use it (Central ladder truck) on a significant fire, but we take it to every structure fire because of the tools used for entering and exiting (buildings),” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said he is required to send out two pumper trucks and a ladder truck to every structure fire. His department answered 17 fire calls during the month of January, which consisted of small grass fires and vehicular accidents.

Next month, Reynolds said about 15 individuals will attend a weekend of classes at the South Carolina Fire Academy.

“The training never ends,” he said.