Published November 11. 2020 01:14PM
Firefighters from Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company trained under realistic fire conditions Nov. 2 at the Emmaus Fire Department training center along Klines Lane in the borough.
Fire Chief Joshua Wells said the department arranges a “live burn” exercise periodically to help newer firefighters be better prepared for the time they qualify to be an interior firefighter.
“A firefighter’s first time in a burning structure can be overwhelming,” Wells said. “We try to make that first experience for new firefighters as easy as possible by having it under highly controlled, predictable and safe conditions. Safety officers and experienced firefighters are right there with them to offer encouragement and provide them backup.”
The Emmaus Fire Department training facility was built with live burn training in mind. The concrete block structure allows trainers to place old wooden pallets, stuffed with straw, in the burn room and ignite them. The burn room rapidly reaches the temperature and flame intensity that would be encountered in a structure fire condition.
The exercise not only provides a realistic atmosphere, but also allows firefighters to practice fire extinguishing techniques in controlled conditions.
Wells said there is a great deal of theoretical and “table top” planning leading up to a live burn exercise.
“It’s all part of our firefighter safety training, to assure ‘everyone goes home’ after every emergency response incident,” Wells said.
PRESS PHOTOS BY JIM MARSH Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joshua Wells, left and Deputy Chief Adam Al-Khal check that fire in the Emmaus Fire Department training facility “burn room” is reaching the desired intensity to begin a realistic training exercise Nov. 2.
Under the watchful eyes of training officers, a three-person Western Salisbury fire crew prepares to enter the Emmaus Fire Department “live burn” training facility along Klines Lane, Emmaus, during a training exercise Nov. 2.
Using a firefighting technique known as hydraulic ventilation, Western Salisbury firefighters inside the structure use the air flow created by the force of water from a hose line to clear smoke from the “live burn” facility during a training exercise Nov. 2.
