ORANGE — The Orange Fire Department will hold a ropes and boat operation training session on today on the Millers River, conducted by firefighter Jason Rushford. This is the annual class conducted for Fire Department personnel in preparation for River Rat Race weekend, which is next weekend.
Training begins at 9 a.m., and Rushford expects it to continue on the department’s “Boat 1” on the water around 9:30 a.m. Training will involve orientation to the new boat and its features — teaching boat operations and crews practicing rope-and-bag throws from shore.
This year, the department is training on its new Zodiac Milpro ERB380 rescue boat, which it recently acquired. It replaces an older rubber boat used for the past 22 years.
The $11,000 approved by voters at Town Meeting covered the cost of the boat, replaces a plywood trailer with a metal one, and included lettering and accessories to outfit the boat for service.