Pocono News Section

Line of Duty" Death Training

Line of Duty" Death Training - Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 9:06PM EST

" Reported by: Eric Deabill
Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 @09:06pm EST
CLARKS SUMMIT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Dozens of firefighters from across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania were at the Clarks Summit Fire Company Saturday afternoon. They were all learning how to handle "line of duty" deaths.

For a total of eight hours, firefighters tackled the tough topic, learning everything from dealing with grief to working with the media. They know with every call they answer, there is a chance for danger.

"No matter what kind of call we go out on, no matter what time of day it is, whether we make a mistake or things just happen, this is a reality, Captain Chris Melodia of the Blakely Hose Company said.

That reality hit home recently, when two weeks ago in Scranton, fire captain James Robeson was electrocuted while fighting a blaze on Ash Street. Hundreds of his fellow firefighters from across the country came out to pay their respects.

"Certainly we're saddened by that, but again, we're just hoping people can learn from the information we're giving out here today, Ron Richards said. Richards helped to organize the training session.

The class had been planned since November, long before the recent tragedy. Ten of Captain Robeson's fellow firefighters were in attendance at the training session. Many of the attendees say they learned a lot.

"It'll give the rest of us more insight into a situation and also better prepare us so that we can prepare for an accident and the situation that follows," Russ Gow of the Abington Area Line Officers said.

Saturday's training session was sponsored by the company Task Force One. It was the first time the training session was put on.