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Bonanza Photos - Carrie Richards Firefighter Dave Hekhuis is one of the few from Tahoe Donner Fire District who joined the NLTFPD with its structure fire training Friday morning.
With temperatures rising, snow melting and a dry winter subsiding, experts predict a severe wildland fire danger this summer.
Urban fire training is one key preparation tool for the upcoming season local fire officials said.
That's why North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District personnel jumped at the chance to host a live fire training at a donated home near Lakeshore Boulevard Friday, Sunday and Tuesday.
Urban fire training is one key preparation tool for the upcoming season local fire officials said.
That's why North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District personnel jumped at the chance to host a live fire training at a donated home near Lakeshore Boulevard Friday, Sunday and Tuesday.
A total of 23 firefighters including three from Tahoe Donner Fire Station participated in the drill.
"We try to do a couple of these a year to reinforce safety, command and control, accountability and communication," said Assistant Fire Chief Greg McKay. "These live fire training drills have a very strict procedure and checklist. We have backup engines, backup supplies and everything in place to ensure the safety of our crews."
Firefighters set a blaze in an upstairs bedroom of the A-frame house and once smoke began billowing out, they rushed in with gas masks on and hoses in hand.
"We're practicing stretching the lines, there are a lot of 90-degree angles, so we have to make sure to keep the hoses working," said NLTFPD Captain Steve Alcorn. "We're also doing a tactical size-up, which is looking at the building and determining where the fire is, how fast it is moving and what direction it's going."
"We try to do a couple of these a year to reinforce safety, command and control, accountability and communication," said Assistant Fire Chief Greg McKay. "These live fire training drills have a very strict procedure and checklist. We have backup engines, backup supplies and everything in place to ensure the safety of our crews."
Firefighters set a blaze in an upstairs bedroom of the A-frame house and once smoke began billowing out, they rushed in with gas masks on and hoses in hand.
"We're practicing stretching the lines, there are a lot of 90-degree angles, so we have to make sure to keep the hoses working," said NLTFPD Captain Steve Alcorn. "We're also doing a tactical size-up, which is looking at the building and determining where the fire is, how fast it is moving and what direction it's going."
Firefighters are able to practice in conditions similar to those in a real burning building.
"When you're in there it's dark, you can't see anything so a lot of times you have to go just by sound," Alcorn said.
Each firefighter has a P.A.S.S. (personal alert safety system) device attached to his uniform, which makes a sound when he doesn't move for 30 seconds, notifying others that someone may be in trouble.
"We deal with anything that has to do with fire extinguishing, victim searches and mayday searches, which involve rescue of a lost or entrapped firefighter," NLTFPD Fire Chief Mike Brown said. "We are fortunate to have donated structures so we can practice these procedures."
"When you're in there it's dark, you can't see anything so a lot of times you have to go just by sound," Alcorn said.
Each firefighter has a P.A.S.S. (personal alert safety system) device attached to his uniform, which makes a sound when he doesn't move for 30 seconds, notifying others that someone may be in trouble.
"We deal with anything that has to do with fire extinguishing, victim searches and mayday searches, which involve rescue of a lost or entrapped firefighter," NLTFPD Fire Chief Mike Brown said. "We are fortunate to have donated structures so we can practice these procedures."
The home was donated by the Robins family who own another home next door on Slott Peak Court.
"People need to consider that the fire district needs to do comprehensive training for structure fires," Brown said. "On a windy day, any flame that gets from a house to the trees will just keep going, then you will have a wildfire."
The NLTFPD will begin wildland fire training next month. Chief Brown said the wildland training will include both career staff and the part-time hand crew since the two groups often work together on wildfires.
"People need to consider that the fire district needs to do comprehensive training for structure fires," Brown said. "On a windy day, any flame that gets from a house to the trees will just keep going, then you will have a wildfire."
The NLTFPD will begin wildland fire training next month. Chief Brown said the wildland training will include both career staff and the part-time hand crew since the two groups often work together on wildfires.
