The 2012 Spring Brush Fire Drill, under the direction of Deputy Eric Germaine, was AWESOME. Apparatus and about 200 personnel participated from Plymouth, Wareham, Onset, Plympton, Duxbury, Rochester, Abington, Kingston, Marion, Hanover, Lakeville, Department of Fire Services and the State Police Air Wing, represented 14 Plymouth County Communities. The group worked as a cohesive team with Carver units for 3 hours of intense training in the very unique forest fire operations that have evolved here in southern Plymouth County. Crews had the opportunity to operate Brush breakers in the woods, getting the feel of pushing trees over, using hand signals to communicate, and knocking over targets using deck lines, as the trucks ambled through the woods. Additionally, everyone spent time at stations set up to teach winch operations, chain saw use, long hand line operations, hand signals, water supply and familiarization of the Mobile Command Posts. During the drill, a large Mutual Aid Mobilization Exercise was performed at the Command Post via Plymouth County Control, State ISU and MEMA headquarters. During the radio exercise over 50 Brush Breakers, 20 Engines and 11 Tankers were dispatched to a simulated large brush fire in the south part of Carver. A hearty thanks to the Officers and Firefighters of the participating Departments for making the exercise a huge success. Smiles seemed to be everywhere and EVERYONE learned something. (Photo’s by 314 Retired, Gerry Farquharson)