"I’m running out of air," Northern Lakes fireman Logan Robideaux shouted into his radio. "In the back right corner, but I’m not sure, I’m disoriented."
The six fire recruits listening outside jumped into action and charged into smoke-filled rooms to search for Robideaux. They found him tucked in the back left corner of an array of shipping containers set up to represent a building. Thick smoke billowed inside making it difficult to see.
Robideaux is one of last year’s recruits to the Northern Lakes Fire District, and this year he volunteered to support new trainees in exercises like this one.
The group of 13 was hired this month and will graduate April 22 as the largest class in the district’s history, said Fire Chief Pat Riley.
Mock circumstances prepare them for real situations.