09/18/2026
🔥 September Training Night at Primghar Fire 🚒
On Thursday evening, PFD conducted training focused on First Due Engine operations and scene size-up scenarios with limited personnel. As a rural volunteer fire department, it is a reality that, depending on the time of day, only three or fewer members may respond to a call. In some cases, the responding personnel may be newer or less experienced members who would typically rely on veteran firefighters to establish command and direct operations. The goal of this month's training was to build confidence in every member's ability to assume Incident Command and make critical, split-second decisions when faced with these situations, until a senior member or officer can assume command responsibilities.
The training team designated four locations throughout Primghar and developed a mock incident scenario for each site. Members were divided into teams of three. Each team was provided with weather conditions and the type of information typically received when dispatched to an incident, including the time of day, address, and a brief, often vague description of the emergency. Based on the initial dispatch information, team members were required to determine which apparatus they would respond with and discuss the pre-arrival considerations and planning that would take place en route to the scene.
Upon arrival, teams were presented with a photograph and additional details commonly received on scene, such as information from homeowners or bystanders and the actual conditions encountered. Each team was then given five minutes to confer, walk around the property, evaluate the situation, and develop a plan outlining how they would manage the first five minutes of the incident.
In the fire service there’s a saying, “The first five minutes determine the next five hours.”
After the five-minute planning period, each team presented its strategy for managing the first five minutes of the incident to the rest of the group. This allowed members to explain their thought process, receive feedback, and compare different approaches to the same scenario. Typical items included:
- Establishing and maintaining Incident Command.
- Providing an initial size-up report.
- Identifying immediate life safety concerns.
- Requesting additional resources or mutual aid.
- Determining fire attack, rescue, or defensive strategies.
- Assigning personnel and prioritizing tasks.
- Identifying hazards and maintaining firefighter accountability.
- Establishing water supply considerations.
- Developing an incident action plan.
- Communicating benchmarks and progress updates.
Training like this reinforces the importance of preparation, adaptability, and leadership at every level of our department. By challenging members to think critically, take command, and make decisions in realistic scenarios, we are building confidence and ensuring we are prepared to provide a safe and effective response, regardless of staffing levels or incident complexity. We are proud of the effort and engagement demonstrated by all members throughout this training. Every hour spent training today helps ensure we are ready when our community needs us most. Whether responding with limited personnel during the day or a full crew in the middle of the night, our commitment remains the same: to serve the citizens of Primghar with professionalism, preparedness, and dedication.
Thank you those who allowed us to use your property as training tools!
