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News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Firefighters from throughout the county participate in a live burn exercise Thursday evening at the Florida State Firefighter's Association in Avon Park.

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published: Sunday, July 05, 2009

Some like it hot

By ED BALDRIDGE
ed.baldridge@newssun.com
AVON PARK — Firefighters from all over Central Florida gathered in Avon Park to continue their training on Thursday.
Gathered at the Florida State Firefighters Association headquarters next door to the National Guard Armory on U.S. 27 S., crews from Highlands Lakes, Lake Placid, Lorida, Sun ’N Lake, West Sebring, Venus, and Highlands County took their turns honing their skills.
Highlands County Fire Services training supervisor Charles Andrews organized the participants into teams of four, and then the firefighters were given a chance to crawl on their knees into the steel container being used as a burn box to simulate a structure fire.
Pallets and hay were used to start a fire in the far end of the container, then the door was shut to allow it to fill with smoke, and to shut out the light.
 While in the box, firefighters had to be responsive and aware of their surroundings at all times, while in full breathing apparatus.
Each team took their turn, and was instructed on what to expect and how to act inside the pitch black box.
“Everyone of our students performed well,” Andrews said.
“This gives them the opportunity to watch fire behavior in a Class A burn,” Andrews said.
“Firefighting is not for everyone, and these tests and simulations give everyone a chance to experience the real thing in a controlled environment. Now the class has to go on and pass the state exam,” Andrews added.
The class was also exposed to a pit fire and a 200-gallon propane tank fire where the release valve would shoot flames 30-40 feet into the air. It was a nerve wracking experience for those who were not expecting it, and one that everyone reacted to like professionals, according to Andrews.
“I have to give them credit, the new recruits worked well as teams, and everyone of them put together the knowledge they picked up in class and applied it successfully,” Andrews said.
Every student present at the live exercises and putting themselves at risk to hopefully save others were volunteers.