Our local firefighters have been learning new and safe ways to train for responding to house fires.
One of these trainings is called a ‘fireground search’ — and the way it’s done now is much different and more effective than it’s been in previous years.
This training is not easy — even for experienced firefighters.
In a ‘fireground search’, they’re put in a very challenging situation to prepare for what happens in a real house fire.
It’s an unfamiliar place, visibility is low and they need to work fast to save someone’s life.
This new training model they’re doing has been a year in the making and it was finally put into practice in February once firefighters could safely do it in person.
“Fireground is first developed in recruit school, where we take someone that’s off the street that’s never worn fire gear,” said Deputy Fire Chief Rex Strickland.