This week's Monday Night Drill was a "Bailout Training" drill for our Firefighters and an "Altered Mental Status" drill for our EMTs.

The “Bailout Training” drill had our Vista Firefighters completing the practical portion of our annual bailout certification. During this session, members conducted two “jumps,” practicing different techniques and procedures to safely deploy and operate our bailout system. This training is critical for interior firefighters, as it prepares them for the rare but life-threatening situation where they must rapidly exit from an upper floor of a structure during a fire. With the completion of this drill, our interior firefighters are now certified on the Vista Fire Department’s bailout system for the next year, ensuring both their safety and the safety of the community they serve.

At the same time, our EMS personnel participated in an “Altered Mental Status” drill that focused on assessing and managing patients whose mental state is impaired due to medical, traumatic, or environmental causes. Vista EMTs reviewed how to quickly recognize common factors such as stroke, hypoglycemia, seizures, head trauma, infections, and toxic exposures, and they practiced using a glucometer to measure blood glucose levels—an essential step in identifying or ruling out hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia as a cause of altered mental status. The drill emphasized thorough patient assessments, gathering critical history from bystanders or family members, and determining when rapid transport or advanced interventions are necessary, ensuring our providers are well prepared to deliver immediate and effective care during these high-stakes emergencies.

For more info on how you can become a member call: (914)-533-2727, email us at Info@VistaFD.org, visit https://www.vistafd.org/content/become/ or apply online here: https://www.vistafd.org/apply