Hokuryu Firefighting Drill 2024 (Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido) - Protecting the safety and security of residents' lives through rigorous training and hard work

Monday, July 1, 2024

On Friday, June 28th, from 2:30pm, the Hokuryu Fire Brigade (Chief Nakayama Shigeyuki) held a Hokuryu Fire Drill in the parking lot north of Hokuryu Town Hall. A social gathering followed from 5:00pm in the large hall of the Hokuryu Town Community Center.

FY2020 Hokuryu fire drill

FY2020 Hokuryu fire drill
FY2020 Hokuryu fire drill

The purpose of this event is to strengthen cooperation between the various divisions of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade and the Hokuryu Branch Office, demonstrate the comprehensive firefighting capabilities of Hokuryu Town, and practice firefighting techniques, thereby raising the morale of firefighters and promoting fire prevention awareness among local residents.

Award flag
Award flag
  • Organizer:Fukagawa District Fire Department Hokuryu Fire Brigade
    Fukagawa District Fire Department Association, Fukagawa Fire Department Hokuryu Branch
  • Sponsored by:Hokuryu Fire Brigade Union Supporters Association
  • cooperation:Hokkaido Prefectural Police Asahikawa District Fukagawa Police Station
    Hokuryu Town Traffic Safety Instructor Association
    Hokuryu Town Yawara Nursery School
  • Participating team name:Fukagawa District Fire Department Association, Hokuryu Fire Brigade 1st Division
    Fukagawa District Fire Department Association, Hokuryu Fire Brigade 2nd Division
    Fukagawa District Fire Department Association, Fukagawa Fire Department Hokuryu Branch
  • venue :Hokuryu Town Hall North Parking Lot

Narration: Four female firefighters

Four female firefighters
Four female firefighters

1. Opening Ceremony

"Fire Prevention Song" sung by kindergarten children

"Fire Prevention Song" performed by children from Yawara Nursery School's Junior Firefighting Club.
The adorable kindergarten children, wearing matching happi coats and waving small banners, sing the "Fire Prevention Song"!

"Fire Prevention Song" performed by children from the Yawara Nursery School Children's Firefighting Club
"Fire Prevention Song" performed by children from the Yawara Nursery School Children's Firefighting Club

Children's "Fire Prevention Pledge"

Then two kindergarteners appeared!

"Keirei!"
"We never play with fire!"
They recited their vows in a loud voice, "Keirei!"

"Fire Prevention Pledge"
"Fire Prevention Pledge"

2. Preparation for the opening ceremony

  1. Personnel, machinery and equipment inspection report:Each commander ⇒ Deputy commander ⇒ Supreme commander
  2. Commander-in-Chief's Orders:Commander-in-Chief, Takashi Ukai
Hokuryu Fire Brigade 1st and 2nd Divisions
Hokuryu Fire Brigade 1st and 2nd Divisions

3. Opening Ceremony

Opening remarks: Vice Commander Akinori Fujii

Deputy Commander Akinori Fujii
Deputy Commander Akinori Fujii

Salute to the flag

Salute to the flag
Salute to the flag

A moment of silence for the firefighters killed

silent prayer
silent prayer

Personnel Report: Commander-in-Chief Takashi Ukai

Commander-in-Chief, Takashi Ukai
Commander-in-Chief, Takashi Ukai

Greetings from the Superintendent General: Superintendent General Yasuhiro Sasaki (Mayor of Hokuryu Town)

Superintendent-General: Yasuhiro Sasaki (Mayor of Hokuryu Town)
Superintendent-General: Yasuhiro Sasaki (Mayor of Hokuryu Town)

“I am truly pleased that the historic and traditional Hokuryu Fire Drill for 2024 is being held here today with such great fanfare and with such a large number of distinguished guests.

In addition to this prestigious fire drill, under the command of Captain Nakayama, the townspeople have been making great efforts day and night in their preventive firefighting duties in the region to protect the lives and property of the townspeople.

We would like to express our deepest respect and gratitude to all members of the fire brigade, and we hope that they will fully demonstrate the results of their daily training and that this exercise will be a great success.

In recent years, abnormal weather has become the norm, and damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, snow damage, tornadoes, and landslides caused by heavy rains continues unabated, resulting in the loss of many lives and property.

Firefighting agencies are being called upon to respond to a variety of situations in line with the times, including not only disasters that occur on a daily basis, but also natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms and floods, vehicle accidents, and emergencies related to civil protection, and expectations for them are only increasing.

Last year, Hokuryu Town also worked to strengthen its firefighting capabilities, including updating the sirens in the Hekisui district and installing two earthquake-resistant fire water tanks.

In the event of a disaster, I would like to once again ask all of our members to respond quickly by utilizing modern firefighting equipment and the skills they have acquired through training, and to live up to the expectations of the local residents.

In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Fire Department Support Association and traffic safety instructors who cooperated with this exercise, and to the members of the Yawara Nursery School Children's Fire Department Club who added color to today's exercise.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all the distinguished guests attending today for continued good health and success, and I would like to conclude my remarks for the exercise. This concludes the exercise," said Commandant General Sasaki in his address.

Inspection

Inspection
Inspection

closed type

exercises

discipline training

discipline training
discipline training
  • Company commander:Mr. Kimihiro Suzuki, Chief of the 2nd Division
  • 1st Platoon (17 people):Osamu Komatsu, Platoon Leader, 1st Division, and Squad Leader
  • 2nd Platoon (17 people):Platoon Leader, 2nd Division, Team Leader, Yohei Tsuji

Fire pump operation (waterless operation)

  • 1st Division (Small Pump):Double-wrapped hose extension by Tebirome - Team leader Masayuki Takada
  • 2nd Division (Small Pump):Double-wrapped hose single-line extension by Tebirome, Team Leader, Mr. Akito Yamagai
  • 1st Division (Quanryu):Double-wrapped hose single-line extension by Tebirome, Team Leader Daisuke Fujita
  • 2nd Division (Zhonglong):Double-wrapped hose single-line extension using Tebirome - Team leader, Okunobu Asakura
Fire pump operation
Fire pump operation
. Fire pump operation (waterless operation)
Fire pump operation (waterless operation)
Report completion of pump operation to the Commander-in-Chief
Report completion of pump operation to the Commander-in-Chief

Search training

[Assumption]

  • Date and Time:Friday, June 28, 2020, 3:50 p.m.
  • Awareness:119
  • place:Near Hokuryu Town Joint Government Building
  • Weather conditions:Wind direction: Southwest Wind speed: 10/ms Humidity: 45%

[Drone operation explanation: Takayoshi Kazuma, Chief of the Hokuryu Branch of the Fukagawa Fire Department]

Explanation by Branch Chief Takayoshi Kazuma
Explanation by Branch Chief Takayoshi Kazuma
Explanation by Kazuma Branch Chief
Explanation by Kazuma Branch Chief

"Two controllers are used for each drone. One controls the drone and the other operates the reconnaissance camera.

In fiscal year 2022 (Reiwa 4), we used the fire brigade equipment maintenance subsidy to purchase a disaster drone. In April 2023 (Reiwa 5), we established a drone team at the Hokuryu Fire Brigade. The drone team was established so that members and staff can respond jointly in the event of a disaster.

Its main activities include searches, identifying areas where fires have spread, determining the area of fires, scouting around five dangerous areas in the town where landslides are likely to occur, and identifying people in need of rescue in the event of natural disasters such as floods.

I would like you to take a look at the sequence of events that took place during today's search training.

We have a monitor installed here, but normally a monitor is installed inside a fire truck and the command center checks it while conducting reconnaissance.

"This time, we will connect the monitor to this TV so that everyone can see how the reconnaissance is carried out. Thank you for your cooperation," explained Chief Kazuma.

Drone Team
Drone Team

[Summary]

The Hokuryu Branch Police dispatcher received a report that a man had gone missing while picking wild vegetables in the Wa area. He immediately sounded the siren and ordered the fire brigade and branch police vehicles to respond.

  1. The dispatch order is given by siren (summoning)
  2. Dispatched vehicles will operate with their red rotating lights on and sirens sounding.
  3. Vehicles must travel at or below the legal speed limit.
  4. The search begins under the command of the commander in chief.
  5. The drone team conducts searches using drones.
  6. Traffic control will be carried out by police officers and traffic instructors.
  7. The search will be terminated by radio command from the commander in chief.
drone
drone

Simultaneous water spraying

Simultaneous water spraying
Simultaneous water spraying

This time, the actual water discharge did not take place because the "Hokuryu Town Disaster Preparedness Storage Warehouse Construction Project" was underway at the location where the water was to be discharged.

division march

The march will begin with the brigade headquarters, members of the 1st and 2nd divisions, and the vehicle squadron will include the large water tank truck "Shiroyu", the fire pump truck with water tank "Shinryu", the fire pump truck CD-II "Senryu", the fire pump truck CD-II "Shoryu", and the loading vehicle with small power pump "Kouryu".

division march
division march
division march
division march

Closing Ceremony

Comments from the Superintendent: Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama, Superintendent

Superintendent-in-Chief, Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama
Superintendent-in-Chief, Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama

"I would like to thank all the guests for attending today's comprehensive exercise.

I believe that all members of the group have fully demonstrated the results of the recent training and achieved the expected results.

I also believe that today's exercise was highly effective in helping participants acquire disaster response skills and improve teamwork.

We, the members of the fire brigade, are determined to use this exercise as an opportunity to further improve ourselves as the most familiar disaster prevention organization in the local community, and to face disasters in a timely manner in order to meet the expectations of the local residents.

In conclusion, I hope that Hokuryu Town will become a disaster-free, bright, and livable town, and I would like to ask all of our distinguished guests to continue to provide us with guidance in the future. That concludes my comments!

Guest congratulatory speech: Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council

Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council
Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council

"Today, we were blessed with fine weather and in the presence of many distinguished guests, and I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on the successful and successful holding of the FY2024 Hokuryu Fire Drill. I am truly pleased.

I would like to thank all the members of the delegation for undergoing prior training and taking the time to appear here today despite your busy schedules.

This year, with Chief Nakayama at the center, we would like to ask for your continued support in not only the division activities but also the activities of the fire brigade.

Mayor Sasaki, this was his first fire department event since taking office as mayor, and he performed his duties as superintendent without any problems, so we would like to thank him for his hard work.

We would like to ask for your continued support in working hard for the Hokuryu Fire Department to ensure the safety and security of the townspeople.

Also, the "Young Firefighters Club" was made up of 23 children from the "Sunflower" and "Sakura" groups at Yawara Nursery School. Thanks to over 10 years of guidance from everyone, they sang the "Fire Prevention Song" and "Fire Prevention Pledge" in loud voices, and even sang the "Fire Prevention Pledge" with a touch of embarrassment. Every time I watch it, I feel a warm and indescribable emotion. That's how I felt today too.

I appreciate your hard work in the series of training sessions, including the discipline training. I think the training paid off, but I think it was a wonderful performance.

This year in particular, instead of mock fire training, drone search training is being conducted.

There have been fewer search operations in recent years, but in the past, we have conducted searches around the Edaibetsu Dam and along the Uryu River. Searches on foot have their limitations, and in some cases, bodies were ultimately found by helicopter. I believe that searches from the air are effective. Bear sightings have become a serious problem recently. When searching in the mountains, every second counts.

In addition, the Senryu will be updated this year, and various types of equipment, such as fire-fighting water tanks, will be installed.

We ask that you make every effort to prevent fires and disasters through regular training, as we never know when a fire may occur. We hope that you will be able to keep damage to a minimum.

In conclusion, I hope that through this exercise, all townspeople will further increase their awareness of fire and disaster prevention, and that there will be no more fires or disasters.I would like to conclude my speech by praying for the continued growth of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade and the good health of all participants.Thank you for your hard work today.Congratulations," said Chairman Nakamura.

Fujihiko Kondo, Chief of Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa District, Hokkaido Prefectural Police

As Fukagawa Police Station Chief Fujihiko Kondo was unable to attend due to other commitments, the congratulatory message was read by Numata Branch Office Chief Seiji Oshima.

Read by: Seiji Oshima, Director of Numata Branch Office
Read by: Seiji Oshima, Director of Numata Police Station

"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the grand holding of the Hokuryu Fire Drill today.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your continued deep understanding and cooperation in police administration.

I would like to express my deepest respect to the members of the Kitaryu Fire Brigade, which has a brilliant history and a bright future, for their hard work in carrying out the noble duty of protecting the lives and property of residents from fires and disasters, with a deep spirit of local patronage and a strong sense of justice, in addition to their busy main jobs.

Under the command of the commander in chief, I observed discipline training, pump operation, search training, and even marching in formation, and I was impressed by the high morale, dignified demeanor, and discipline of the volunteers, which gave me a truly reliable and powerful impression.

In recent years, large-scale natural disasters and accidents have occurred frequently across the country, and disasters caused by abnormal weather are also on the rise in Hokkaido. We are concerned that in the future, the number of difficult firefighting and emergency rescue activities will increase even more than before.

I ask that you all continue to maintain high morale, work hard to further improve convenience, and meet the expectations and trust of our residents.

In order to fulfill our responsibility to protect the lives, bodies, and property of local residents, we at the police will continue to work closely with you on a daily basis and make further efforts to ensure the safety and security of local residents.

In conclusion, I would like to offer my best wishes to the members of the fire brigade, all those involved in the fire department, and everyone in attendance today.

June 28, 2024, by Fujihiko Kondo, Chief of Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa

Salute to the flag

Closing remarks: Vice Commander Mitsuya Yamamoto

"This concludes the 2024 Kitaryū Fire Drill."

Saluting the Commander-in-Chief: Commander-in-Chief Takashi Ukai

Closing
Closing

Afterwards, a social gathering was held in the large hall on the second floor of Hokuryu Town Community Center.

Fire engines after the parade (in front of Hokuryu Fire Department building)
Fire engines after the parade (in front of Hokuryu Fire Department building)
Each fire engine
Each fire engine

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we offer our heartfelt thanks to the noble souls of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade members who undergo rigorous training and hard work to protect the safety and security of the townspeople's lives.

FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan

FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan
FY2024 Hokuryu Firefighting Drill Plan

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)