Many of us learn through experience, but for a firefighter who has to be ready for anything, realistic practice scenarios can be tough to come by.
When Iowa County fire departments got the chance for hands-on propane fire training Thursday, many jumped on the chance. “We need to be prepared for every situation we come across,” Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Joe Thomas said. Training included scenarios with new props including a grill, forklift and bulk tank. Some flames shot about 20 feet or higher in the sky. Thomas said this is the first such testing on such a large scale in the area in about 15 years. ”A lot of young guys have never been to actual gas propane training at all,” he said, adding that it’s happening at a time when liquid propane is getting more use.
“There’s getting to be more and more vehicles running two types of fuel up and down the road. Most all of our school buses in our local school system are all LP,” he said. ”Our county squad cars are all gas and LP.”