Practice Makes Perfect

County Wide Live Burn Exercise
Staff Photo by Sara May

The Jefferson City Fire Department hosted a training event for their own, and other local, firefighters. Though training is a continuous and important part of their job, this particular training event was different, in that it meshed tradition and technology. Via grants, the Jefferson City Fire Department has acquired a simulator that allows the practice of technique without the very real dangers involved in firefighting.

In last weekend’s training, the simulator was used to mock a house fire. The simulator itself consists of waterproof panels that emulate the way a fire responds. Sensors in the simulator are sensitive to water and react as a real fire would react, allowing firefighters to hone their skills without the hazards of a burning fire. Jim Baldwin is the Training Officer for the Jefferson City Fire Department and the simulator is a tool that he is excited to have in his training arsenal.

In addition to the simulated structure fire, the Fire Departments participated in extinguishing a real structure fire and then a controlled burn that removed the structure, an old house, from a lot that will be used for other purposes.

County Wide Live Burn and Simulator Exercise
Staff Photo by Sara May