The New Year fixture, the Palaceside Building volunteer fire brigade's dezome-shiki, was held the morning of the 8th on the roof.
About 70 took part from Mainichi Building Co., which manages the building, and partners Globeship (facilities), Aing and Maisakae (security) and Seibi (cleaning). At the 10 a.m. start the air was cold but sun poured down — a fair training day for the season. "Representatives" among the participants worked in earnest at firefighting and more.
The drill had three parts: initial extinguishing with extinguishers (water, not agent) for a simulated fire; hose work actually connected to an indoor hydrant; and rescue and first-aid for a simulated injury.
In the extinguisher drill, teams of three, on the commander's order, shouted "Fire!" and doused green cones with vigor =photo above.
For the hydrant-and-hose drill they opened the same red boxes as on each floor, pulled the hose, ran toward the "source," took stance and shot at a round target marked "fire," punching it cleanly with water =continuous photos below. Almost the real thing — quite a punch.
First-aid used nearby cardboard and a necktie to splint a broken leg, six people carrying on a blanket, and AED CPR on a dummy =photo below= — they sweated at these.
This year too we will keep steady drills toward a safe, secure building.
