Why We Train

During the week of July 12, San Rafael Fire Department crews completed a trail rescue training exercise in the open space behind the Dominican neighborhood. The scenario simulated a mountain bike crash on the JT Howell Trail, giving firefighters the opportunity to practice wheeled Stokes basket operations, rappelling, low-angle rope rescue techniques, and patient extrication.

Less than a week later, on Monday, July 20, SRFD responded to a report of an injured mountain biker on the JT Howell Trail. After accessing the trail, crews discovered the patient had crashed just a few hundred yards from the exact location where the training had taken place.

Firefighters on A shift from Engine 55, Truck 54, and Medic 52 were able to put their recent training into action, arriving prepared and confident in the rescue operations. The call served as a powerful reminder of why realistic, hands-on training is so important.

This is why we train.