Flourtown Fire Company recently held some training on roof cuts that are used to ventilate fires. The use of chainsaws, axes and a halligan bars on a roof requires special techniques to remain safe. Ladder placement is key as well as “reading and sounding the roof” to make sure it’s safe to put weight on what could be a potentially fire or water damaged structure. Captain Thornton (white helmet) is send instructing firefighters on proper procedures to remove portions of the roof to allow smoke and heat to exit the structure. Photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.