Firefighters burn down vacant home for training
[gtxvideo vid=”joLIbzcP” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/joLIbzcP.jpg” vtitle=”Gibson Co Fire Training – Dan 10pm”]
GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A massive house fire in Gibson County raged on for hours Wednesday night, keeping firefighters busy. But this was not your ordinary fire — it was a training exercise for West Tennessee volunteer firefighters. “This gives us the opportunity to do live fire training in a controlled environment,” Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey said. Burning a vacant home to the ground, firefighters from all over the area came out to be on the front lines. “The guys get to go in, in turnout gear and actually go in and put the fire out,” Cathey said. “They get to practice real-life ventilation. It’s just a whole lot better than a classroom.” Cathey said when firefighters are able to train on controlled blazes like this they’re better prepared when that next call comes out. “That way they get to know more about what they’re doing,” Cathey said. “They get to feel the real-life effect before they actually get to a real house fire.” The training is not just for those trying to put the fire out — it’s also for those who are trying to figure out how it started. “We come in and help them with their fire investigation team,” Ryan Shanklin with Tennessee Bomb and Arson said. “We offer training to them to assist them in becoming better investigators.” Even technology is becoming a big part of the training, using it to save themselves and others. “Once the firemen go in, they can’t see when the smoke level gets down to the floor,” Cathey said. “With these cameras they’re able to see through the smoke.” From rookies to 30-year veterans, fire officials say training like this unites departments across the area. “If we have an actual call from now on, we’re all familiar with each other,” Cathey said. “We now all have the same type training, and it makes for a much better situation for the citizens.” The fire department said this training did not cost them anything because the home was donated for this specific training.
