We hope that Clarendon, Glade and Pleasant volunteer firefighters don’t need to use the lessons they learned on Saturday during a training session at Jakes Rocks.

But at the same time it’s good to be reminded that the volunteer departments are ready for emergencies in a popular recreational area.

The area is a challenging one for first responders because of its rugged terrain and remote location. Recent training focused on coordination between the agencies and improving response times for emergencies on the trails.

Terry Gregerson of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department said when there was previously an emergency at Jakes Rocks, only one fire department would be informed. This could cause response time to take much longer due to lack of volunteers at all three fire departments. Now, all three departments will be dispatched to incidents at Jakes Rocks. While Pleasant Township firefighters may have the shortest estimated response time at about 50 minutes, the trail system remains within Clarendon’s jurisdiction.

The last large-scale training exercise at Jakes Rocks was held roughly 10 years ago. Gregerson said they are now planning additional sessions over the summer, including a full-day exercise on more difficult sections of the trail system. The goal, Gregerson said, is to build on lessons learned from each session and continue improving rescue operations in the future.

Trainings like the recent Safety Day are important in a county that pushes outdoor recreation as a way to bring people into the county and, at the same time, is struggling to recruit enough volunteer firefighters. Each department, due to firefighters’ familiarity with each other, can often speak a kind of shorthand when working in tense situations. It’s important for departments who have to work in a coordinated manner to speak the same language, so to speak. That’s one outcome of joint training like the one Clarendon, Glade and Pleasant firefighters took part in recently.

County residents – and those visiting the area – should rest a little easier knowing the volunteer first responders we do have are working behind the scenes to be ready for the worst case scenario.