Andover Fire Department Trains in Empty Proctor Building

The Parsonage, a 19th-century extended cottage on Proctor Academy's campus on North Street, was used until recently as a faculty residence but has since been gutted in preparation for demolition and the construction of a new dormitory. The school made the facility available to the safety services teams from Andover, Franklin, Salisbury, and Wilmot for training exercises on April 7. Photos: Meghan Barton — The Parsonage, a 19th-century extended cottage on Proctor Academy’s campus on North Street, was used until recently as a faculty residence but has since been gutted in preparation for demolition and the construction of a new dormitory. The school made the facility available to the safety services teams from Andover, Franklin, Salisbury, and Wilmot for training exercises on April 7. Photo: Meghan Barton

Training is one of the best tools we have to learn new skills and improve the ones we have. Training needs to accomplish the goals of the task, but it also must be informative, interesting, and hopefully fun. That is an easy statement to make, but one that in real life is more difficult to do.

The Andover, Franklin, Salisbury, and Wilmot fire departments trained at a former Proctor faculty residence last month. Photo: Jake Johnson

In Andover, we all share a responsibility for conducting training. However, we rely very heavily on our training committee. This team does the research, contacts guest instructors, and spends a lot of time planning the drills.

Thanks to Proctor Academy, we were recently invited to use a building for training that was to be demolished to make way for a new dorm. Franklin, Salisbury, and Wilmot joined us for a day of training. A smoke generator was used to create the blinding conditions of a real fire without the risk to neighboring buildings.

Many of our team worked on the roof of the building conducting venting operations. Hiding a training dummy in the building for crews to find in a zero-visibility atmosphere is a challenge, as our team has become very good at retrieving lost fire victims.

Watching the young members rappel from the second story using ropes is always a thrill for the chief, and a relief when they are finished. My role for this day was as the safety officer. I get to be the pain for the members of the crew as I make sure all gear is used properly for their own safety.

To be honest, Andover has a very mature and safety-conscious team. Most of my time was spent watching the crews train and, with more than a little pride, watch our volunteers that are actually very good firemen. These people know what they are doing.

How do you know when training is successful? The smiles, laughter, and a confidence in their step are my measure. The training committee did a great job. I think most everyone had a blast.

Fire Permits

It is once again fire permit season. A permit is required for all outside burning.

The basic rules are that with a permit you are allowed to burn brush, leaves, or grass. The permit is valid from 5 PM through 9 AM each day for the life of the permit.

Material larger than five inches is too large and not allowed. The pile should be less than four feet high, and it is a good idea to have a garden hose ready should the wind pick up. You may burn during day with a permit if it is raining.

Camp and cooking fire permits are issued for the season; however you must have a proper fireplace. We will inspect the fireplace prior to issuing a permit.

This year, permits will also be issued at the Town Office. A Warden or Deputy Warden will be out that evening to inspect the burn pile.

Permits may be obtained from Warden Stephen Barton at 735-5984, or Deputy Wardens Fred Lance at 735-5122, Chuck Ellis at 671-8059, and Rene Lefebvre at 934-2197.