SUMTER COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Sumter County first responders participated in a joint training with other fire departments in the 352.

Sumter County officials say Sumter County Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Special Ops joined Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR) and Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) agencies in a three-day special operations training.

According to a release from the county, these rescue agencies hold combined trainings yearly focusing on trench rescue, confined space rescue, hazardous materials, structural collapse, and more.

“These low frequency, high-risk calls can happen at any time, which require training in order to successfully handle such situations,” said county officials.

Each day consisted of two training scenarios.

One drill required hazmat suits to deal with an emergency involving an unknown chemical leak. Courtesy: Sumter County

For one scenario, county officials say crews “encountered a single vehicle against a structure with victim entrapment.” They say this drill also included a scenario with an unknown liquid chemical in the area where the vehicle was located, requiring hazmat suits.

“In this scenario, firefighters needed to assess the chemical hazards, establish hazard control zones, setup appropriate decontamination and staging areas, access leaking containers and valves, stop the release of hazardous materials, assist seven victims, decontaminate victims and rescuers, and determine the environmental impact,” said the county.

In the second scenario, county officials say crews rescued an individual who had fallen down a ravine. During the scenario, joint agencies worked together to construct a highline and reeving system with ropes and pulleys to send the rescuer across the gap on a highline to the victim and then get both people to safety.

The drills also trained the first responders rope rescues. Courtesy: Sumter County

“This training is an excellent opportunity for us to use skills and equipment as well as working with our mutual aid partners in a controlled environment,” said Jeremy Feil, Division Chief of Program Management, Sumter County Fire & EMS. “This type of training ensures that when an actual incident occurs our Special Operations Team is prepared to handle the event.”