Air Force firefighters in Alaska are using a simulator to train for sub-zero temperatures without damaging hoses or fire trucks.
According to a press release, the Eielson AFB is less than 200 miles away from the Arctic Circle, and can experience temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The firefighters train in sub-zero temperatures, but Fire Chief Sgt. Joseph Cappel said they can only train in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
“These conditions are vicious; it makes training difficult. If the temperatures drop below negative 10 [degrees] it becomes a safety concern for our Airmen and we risk damaging our own hoses and trucks,” he said.
The Pump Ops Simulator allows firefighters to train without putting them or their equipment in danger.