Hudson Valley firefighters train, plan for more intense wildfires
Firefighters in the training program said this past fall's wildfire just east of Greenwood Lake put local governments on notice that more wildfire training will be needed moving forward.
More Stories
New York state forest rangers are increasing wildfire training for local first responders and the National Guard as the wildfire risk in the Hudson Valley increases each year.
The rocky terrain behind Camp Smith in Cortlandt Manor is a perfect training ground for firefighters learning to drive Polaris all-terrain vehicles.
Instead of having to hike an hour to make it to a fire line or to a rescue, they will be licensed to drive one of the ATVs so they can arrive within minutes.
Pound Ridge Fire Chief Vincent Zafonte, who helped organize the two-week training session, said firefighters are also being trained on radio communication and a tracking app on their smartphones.
"Making sure we can all see each other, know where they are for accountability, and make sure the people who are affecting the rescue are safe and accounted for," Zafonte said.
Forest rangers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also gave lectures on how to mark dangerous trees, guard containment lines and rescue operations.
Attendees said this past fall's wildfire just east of Greenwood Lake put local governments on notice that more wildfire training will be needed moving forward.
Firefighters told News 12 they have been handling brush fires much more frequently nowadays than in years past.
"Seems to be more of a drought toward the end of the season: September, October, November," Zafonte said. "We want to try to be as prepared as possible for those."
A crucial part of the training is simply meeting first responders from other agencies.
"We have a lot of meetings in different counties and OEMs," said Lt. Col. Chad Smith, the garrison commander at Camp Smith, "so that people are linking up together and they're not meeting up for the first time when there's an incident site."
Organizers plan to add components, including air operations, to future training sessions.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who spent several hours in the field and at the command center during the Greenwood Lake fire, is on board.
"There are instances coming, and they're more and more frequent," Neuhaus said Wednesday. "The best that we can get prepared for it is by practicing and practicing, and drilling and drilling."
