On a late summer evening, firefighters from the Burlington Fire Department and Skagit County fire districts 6 and 14 were practicing their chain saw skills.
Some were learning the basics, while others were practicing vertical ventilation — or cutting holes in a roof to let hot gasses escape a building that is on fire — at the Burlington Fire Department’s training area off South Section Street.
Being able to hone their skills was only one reason for the evening’s training. The firefighters also got something out of working with those from the neighboring agencies. “We’re going to see you guys on calls,” Burlington Fire Department Assistant Chief Rob Toth said before the training. “The first time shouldn’t be that, it should be here in our backyard.”