The North Marshall Fire Department hosted a large gathering of first responders this past weekend as part of the annual Northeast District Fire School, organized by the Northeast District Firefighters Association. The event provided essential training for firefighters and emergency personnel from across the region.
A total of 93 firefighters and first responders from approximately 20 departments participated, with attendees traveling from as far as Pierre, Burke, and Colton. Training sessions were conducted at various locations throughout Britton, including Dakota Concrete, John Deere, and BDM.
North Marshall Fire Chief Nate Dinger said the department volunteered to host the event, which will be held in Redfield next year. He emphasized the importance of ongoing training and noted that even after years of experience, he always learns something valuable at such events.
The fire school featured several hands-on training sessions designed to enhance skills across all levels of firefighting. The Heavy Rescue Operations session covered stabilization, extrication, and tow truck operations, led by instructors Warren Moe, Andy Wicks, and others. The Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training focused on rescuing fellow firefighters in emergency situations, while the Live Fire Training session allowed participants to practice fire attack techniques in a two-story Mobile Live Fire Training Unit.
Additional classes included Pump Operations, which guided firefighters through pump operation scenarios, and Fire Reporting, which provided updates on the new reporting system and emphasized the importance of accurate fire reporting.
Another key session, led by South Dakota Deputy State Fire Marshal Kyle Moser, addressed commanding large wildland fires and natural disasters. The discussion included recent major incidents, such as the Castlewood and Burke tornadoes and a large grass fire in Marshall County two weeks ago.
Dinger expressed gratitude to the community for its support in hosting the event and providing hospitality to visiting firefighters and emergency personnel. He said the day of training was a success and reinforced the importance of continued education in fire and rescue operations.
