Dryden Twp. firefighters conduct comprehensive drills

DRYDEN TWP. —The Dryden Fire Department conducted a training session on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in a vacant house near the corner of Dryden and Rochester Road. 

The training included practice with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, forcible entry, thermal imaging camera use, search and rescue using simulated smoke while breaching interior walls, apparatus operations and other scenarios. Firefighters from neighboring departments, including Imlay City, Attica Twp. and Metamora were invited to take part in the training.

Prior to the event, department officials took to Facebook to reassure community members that the visible activity and simulated smoke at the southwest corner of Dryden and Rochester roads were part of a scheduled drill rather than an active emergency.

Officials urged residents not to be alarmed by the presence of fire trucks and personnel, emphasizing that the exercise provided a crucial opportunity for crews to sharpen their skills and prepare for real emergencies in the community.

The training not only highlighted the use of various firefighting tools, but also was used as further training with departments working together in a mutual aid situation. The “fake smoke” was created by a smoke machine. Live-fire exercises have been banned since a flash-over in an abandoned Milford Township farm house claimed the lives of three Oakland County volunteer fire fighters and injured several others.

Dryden Fire Chief Darrell Schultz said his department currently has 19 firefighters and can always use more. With most township residents working outside the township, Schultz said he and other area fire chiefs rely heavily on mutual aid from surrounding fire departments.