Truck company functions--from forcible entry to vertical ventilation to search--are critical for success on today's fireground. Below are links to an assortment of drills from Forest Reeder reviewing some basic truck company skills that you can use to train your companies.

For more firefighter training drills, go to http://www.fireengineering.com/training/drills.html.

Drill of the Week: Ground Ladder Rescue

Ladder rescue skill requires swift and efficient movement and coordination by all members of the rescue team.

Ground Ladders: Basic Knowledge

Test your ground ladder knowledge with these 15 questions about basic ground ladder use.

Drill of the Week: Ladder Selection

Being able to select the right size and type of ladder to reach your objective are paramount to the successful accomplishment of your assigned objectives.

Drill of the Week: Ground Ladder Carry & Raise

When time is of the essence, the ability of a single firefighter or company of firefighters to place a ground ladder into operation must be a smooth and efficient operation.

Drill of the Week: Truck Co. Operations - Ground Ladders

This drill can be performed by any apparatus carrying ground ladders, but the task of these operations are usually reserved for the truck company.

Drill of the Week: Truck Co. Operations - Knots

Firefighters should tie a series of fire service knots and apply them to fireground applications such as hoisting and tying off objects.

Drill of the Week: SCBA Donning

NFPA 1410 identifies this as a truck company skill, however all members must be trained and remain proficient in this essential skill.

Drill of the Week: Vertical Ventilation

As a company, simulate a response to a fire requiring vertical ventilation and perform all tasks necessary to remove smoke/heat from within the structure.

Drill of the Week: Smoke Ejectors and Fans

Smoke ejectors and positive pressure fans are used in this training evolution to simulate the removal of smoke and heat from a simulated incident scene.

Drill of the Week: Forcible Entry Assignments

Traditionally a truck company function, all firefighters should be ready to force entry into a structure.

Drill of the Week: Scene Lighting

This evolution can be performed using any apparatus equipped with lighting equipment and generators

Drill of the Week: Tools & Equipment

Answer the basic questions about the tools that you take to the fireground.

Drill of the Week: NFPA 1410 Truck Co. Summary

This drill is a summary of the NFPA 1410 evolutions relating to the truck company operations.

Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He serves as Division Chief of Training & Safety for the Des Plaines (IL) Fire Department. He is a past recipient of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) prestigious George D. Post Instructor of the Year award and has been responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of in-service firefighter trainingactivities as well as a full-service fire training academy program. Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.