In-class training is only part of the process for up-and-coming fire fighters, and over the weekend, the Estevan Fire Rescue had a rare opportunity to battle a fire in a controlled environment.
The exercise took place just off Highway 39 outside of Estevan on April 25, and deputy fire Chief Dale Feser said some of the recruits found the training experience “exhilarating.”
“It was great for them to experience the physical aspect of this job,” Feser said, noting the gradual skill-building the new fire fighters have been doing for the past several weeks in the form of theory and aptitude tests.
Feser said the house was given to the fire rescue by the property owners who found themselves in a position to donate the house to a special cause.
“We can’t thank them enough,” he said.
Estevan fire Chief Shane Code said the recruits learned various techniques, including how to manipulate airflow in the house using the ventilation system, a strategy that Code emphasized ever since he became fire chief.
“It’s about trying to move the fire where you need it to be, like a boxer in a ring, you want to put your opponent against the ropes,” he said. “It’s not as simple as putting the wet stuff on the red stuff, there’s some strategy to it.”
Code said throwing a ladder against a wall efficiently and in a manner that prevents further damage to the property is something that was taught on Saturday, as well.
“In our line of work you really need the hands-on experience,” Code said, adding the house they were able to use on the weekend was also an excellent opportunity for experienced fire fighters to get a “refresher” on the various elements of firefighting.
“Most people won’t let you use a house for something like this,” Code laughed. “Our training is constant … opportunities like this help us work on those basic skills that help us stay safe.”
