Firefighters practice ascending to a roof while carrying heavy roof cutting equipment. Despite cold temperatures and record rainfall, over 100 firefighters from seven fire departments came together to participate in the annual First Battalion Drill hosted By the Garden City Fire Department. This year's topic was Roof Operations, where firefighters learned the methods and techniques of roof ventilation and roof saw operations.

"Operating on and properly ventilating a roof are complex and dangerous tasks, regular and intensive training keeps firefighters prepared to act at a moments notice," Garden City Fire Chief John Casey said.

Following a through Classroom PowerPoint presentation, the firefighters arrived at the Garden City Village Yard where they worked at four intensive hands on stations. The stations included how to start and operate a roof saw, gaining access to a roof, window and roof ventilation and roof cutting techniques.

"Roof ventilation is one of the most critical elements of any firefighting operation. Once firefighters can ventilate a fire building it dramatically reduces the smoke and heat, making conditions better for firefighters and civilians inside," Chief Casey Said.

A firefighter practices using a high powered roof saw on the roof mockup made for the drill. The Drill was organized by Garden City Volunteer firefighter Richard Spatafora, who has decades of New York City and Volunteer firefighting experience. Construction and design of the cutting stations were overseen by Assistant Fire Chief Charles Cavarra. Building supplies were donated by Unified on Peninsula Blvd in Hempstead.

"I'm glad the months of hard work and preparation paid off for a successful drill, this is just another example of the countless hours of free time volunteer firefighters give up to serve their community," Chief Casey concluded.

Instructors show firefighters how to gain access to a building using forcible entry tools. An instructor shows a firefighter different roof cutting techniques. Firefighters learn how to ventilate top floor windows by throwing a tool attached to a rope off the roof.