The Vista Fire Department would like to congratulate Firefighter J.T. Bowensmith & Firefighter Jake Melcher on completing F.A.S.T. (Firefighter Assist & Search Team) training this past weekend! F.A.S.T training is a 16-hour course that was covered over a 3-day period at the Katonah (NY) Fire Department and the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla, New York.

The Westchester County Fire Training Center describes F.A.S.T. class as the following: "the firefighter as a member of a FAST operation will identify the tools and staffing requirements for a FAST operation, develop a rescue plan for a missing, lost, or trapped firefighter; demonstrate rope search techniques, and demonstrate removing a firefighter/victim up a stairwell, up or down through a hole in a floor/roof, moving a downed firefighter down a ladder. This course requires students to perform a number of practical evolutions with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)."

By completing the 16-hour course, FF Bowensmith & FF Melcher are now trained in F.A.S.T operations during an emergency scene.

ALL training at the Vista Fire Department is free of charge and if you're interested in being part of our team click the "Become a Member" tab at VistaFD.org!