Two local fire departments worked in unison Monday night doing rescue training they hope they never have to use. The Brussels-Union-Gardner and Southern Door Fire Departments team up twice a year for special training in the Auto-Eight partnership, where they have to respond to each other’s structure fire calls jointly. BUG Fire Chief Curt Vandertie says the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training is to help refresh the skills of firefighters on standby in case a fellow firefighter in distress needs to be rescued.

Vandertie added that his department is having its busiest year in the past seven years while also responding to numerous structure fires with neighboring fire departments throughout Door and Kewaunee counties. He noted that the BUG Fire Department, like many other volunteer departments throughout the state, is struggling to fill day-time staffing and would welcome interested parties to reach out and apply online on the BUG Fire website.

(photo courtesy of BUG Fire Department)