With the owner’s consent, the Hauser Fire Department, along with several firefighters from the surrounding community, spent the Saturday morning of March 28 planning and preparing an old barn for its final day as an upright structure. Throughout the morning, the fire department members spent time in classes, going over tactics and strategies, all meant to become more prepared in the event of an actual structure fire.

For fuel, non-hazardous wood was used and added to the interior.

(Note: For all the images and larger views of those shown here, please see the photo Gallery. They are posted on Picasa)

After lunch, the firefighters dawned their gear, SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and began their training. Several places throughout the building were prepped for ignition.

This kind of training gives all the firefighters a chance to operate, utilize, and familiarize themselves with tenders, engines and Incident Command.

Engineers getting their final instructions as to “who is going to do what and with what.” In the far background is the water tender. On the left is the brush truck and on the right is the fire engine.

The department received their new engine in the spring of 2007 with the CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) as part of their fire suppression system, this training gives the engineers a chance to hone their skills with it. It also gives those at the end of hose, a feel of having foam mixed with water and how and where to concentrate that stream. Both engine and brush truck have the CAFS.

Captains Corey Butcher and Gary Mobbs waiting for final word to set off the many piles of lumber used for ignition.

The ignition team begins their task of setting ablaze the piles. This will go on for several “burns,” to allow the hose men to understand and evaluate what it will take to “knock down” the flames. It also gives an opportunity for further education regarding communications with Incident Command and fire truck engineer.

Find your target…Hit it hard.

Controlled burns like this give the firefighters a chance to know just how much pressure and water with the water stream, and/or water and foam from the CAFS system, are needed to knock down and contain the fire.

Throughout the afternoon, many teams of firefighteres would man the hoses. Many of the new members of the department have not felt the realism of “heat” and how to handle and contain the hose under high pressure.

Utilizing all hose lines, they hit it hard and fast, giving all hands knowledge of what it takes to control and extinguish this fire.

Once everyone has had their turn at handling their assignments and reviewing their skills on most of the apprentices and handling the hose, the command is given to “let it rip.”

Under the forces of intense heat and adrenalin, one begins to understand themselves and how to use the water supply to their best advantage, putting the engineers of the water tender, fire truck and brush truck to their tasks. Also, on an exterior fire like this, determining what to let go versus what to save will be discussed in order to build tactics in one’s mind. Older members working with newer members of the fire department, sharing their views and tactics to control this fire.

Command from SE corner… I believe we have a complete burn.

This kind of training is invaluable, especially for the new members of the department. Learning to use their newly acquired skills, understanding the relations to their partners and themselves, makes an overall greater department when the time comes to face the real fire.

Many thanks to the Hauser Lake Fire Auxiliary for providing lunch.

Click here to see many more pictures of this training.

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