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This training is conducted multiple times throughout the year to assure that the town's firefighters have the highest level of proficiency possible when an actual emergency occurs, the fire department said.
"Firefighters in full protective clothing are placed in a 'controlled environment' and are required to extinguish an actual fire in a burn building as well as perform all the other fire ground tasks such as incident command, ventilation to remove the smoke, and emergency maneuvers to rescue any firefighters in distress," said a statement. The training also provides an opportunity to operate all of the department's equipment such as the pumps and ladder trucks.
During the exercises, all firefighters were required to locate and remove a rescue mannequin. Thermal-imaging cameras were used to assist in locating the mannequin.
"This training helps to build confidence in our crews as well as to polish their skills," Sherwood said. "Live fire operations are very physically challenging and require a good deal of direct supervision.
"We are very fortunate in Fairfield to have such an highly trained fire department and chief officers that work with the leaders of our community to provide the Fire Department with the resources to safely and effectively do our job. We are also thankful to have access to a regional fire school in our community that has the infrastructure for this type of training."
Construction on a new fire school is scheduled to begin within a few months.
The State Bond Commission last month approved $11.4 million in funds for the work, which will consist of construction of a 9,424-square-foot classroom building, a 5,600-square-foot support building, a 3,200-square-foot class ‘A’ burn facility, paved parking areas, underground utilities and demolition of the existing building. The project will create or retain 220 construction-related jobs.
Read more about the new fire school, here on the Daily Voice.
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