June 26, 2009 10:41 am
—
Video by John Flavell/The Independent
Thirty-eight volunteer firefighters ran into a burning building Tuesday afternoon — five times.
The exercise across Main Street from the Westwood Fire Department was a live burn of a house due to be demolished. State trainers ran the cycles of volunteer firefighters from regional departments through the house for five hours. The trainers used bales of straw and wooden pallets to light fires repeatedly in the two-story farm house.
Inexperienced firefighters learned to deal with flames rolling over their heads, the intense heat, and vision restriction from the thick smoke.
Similar training in the region can be had in a fire tower in Wurtland and another in Ashland.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
Volunteer firefighters approach a roll-over fire in an abandondoned Westwood house Tuesday evening during training session for regional departments. A roll-over occurs when the flames run up a wall and along the ceiling. The Independent