So far this summer, Berwyn's volunteers and career staff have had their plates full with a busy summer. In addition to an Advanced Vehicle and Machinery Rescue class, they have stayed busy with other trainings as well.

While many families are planning or going on their summer vacations, our dedicated members have been doing what they can to better themselves and their abilities to help the general public. Trainings have covered topics like "Drafting", shopping center fire tactics, and using our "Master Streams". It has been a busy two months to say the least, not including responding to calls around the clock.

Drafting is when you pull water from a containment area such as a pool or a lake, and use it to assist in firefighting operations in areas where there is limited access to fire hydrants. In our area, it is an infrequently used skill, but one that we need to know since there are some areas lacking in fire hydrants.

We also had access to the old Genaurdi's Supermarket in Chesterbrook before it was demolished a couple of weeks ago. This was an invaluable opportunity, as it allowed us to get some hands on training with skills such as breaching cinder block walls and cutting ventilation holes in commercial roofs.

Members also got do things like utilizing the water streams from the ladder truck as well as portable master streams, and they got to get out and spend time with the public and help to keep them safe at the annual 4th of July fireworks in Tredyffrin's Wilson Park.