10/17/2026
Live fire training is a vital part of training for firefighters!! Controlled fire within a structure that can be extinguished during a training exercise offers insight as to how fire burns interior. Such a training was done recently in the town of Lakewood. This training was set up by Lakewood Fire Dept., along with Lakewood Fire chief Eric Johnson. The structure was donated for this training. Water for this training was supplied by tankers and portable tanks and large diameter line pumped to engines, ladder trucks and other equipment. EMS was on hand in case of need. Local and neighboring fire depts were at this training. For the safety of the firefighters the contents of the structure was removed and the electrical connection was removed. This controlled burn within the structure was simulated with hay bales and wood pallets. When the burn was started a crew with full fire turnout gear, boots pants, jackets, hoods, helmets, hoods and SCBA and a pressured fire line entered the structure. This turnout gear is mandatory to fight an interior fire. This gear can weigh upwards of 80 plus pounds. Of note, SCBA stands for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. The controlled fire was then put out and ventilation took place by taking glass out of windows with poles and such from the outside of the structure. Multiple controlled fires one at a time were started so other crews can enter and get this training. The front porch of this structure was ignited to show a fire spreading to the ceiling and was then put out. Another aspect of firefighting was going on the roof and cutting a vent hole in the roof. This is achieved by use of an extendable ladder and a special roof ladder. This ladder has large hooks on the end to drape over the ridge of the roof offering stability of the firefighter. The term “thumping” the roof prior to climbing on is to insure stability of the roof. This venting procedure is using multiple fire fighters. One’s to hold stability of the extendable ladder. The actual firefighters to saw the hole in the roof with chainsaws and a special circular saw for that purpose. Of note, the firefighters on the roof also had full turnout gear on. After a lunch and all involved had recooped, the structure was purposely ignited to burn to show firefighters the characteristics of a structure fire and how the burning progresses. Water curtains were used to protect foliage/trees during the burning. Water curtains are water sprayed in such a way that it prevents fire spreading to such foliage and surrounding structures from flames and extreme heat. Rehabbing is another aspect of firefighting. Rehabbing consists of letting firefighters cool down and have vitals taken to ensure their health during extreme weather conditions and wearing 80 plus pounds of gear. Extreme cold, extreme heat and everything in between are contributing factors. Of note, this training and burning was in front of the highway. This is where the “slow down, move over” law should be used by passerby’s. This to ensure not only your safety, but the safety of all involved of the incident. Special thanks goes out to the crooked Lake auxiliary for providing rehydration, high protein snacks and sit down cool down area. Also thanks to Lakewood Fire for lunch and facilitating this training. Thanks to all participating fire depts. In closing, these training structures are getting very hard to find. That is why there is a fund raising going on for Riverview Fire Dept., to construct a training burn house to let anyone everyone fire depts. to use as a training tool. Check the Riverview Fire Dept Auxiliary site for details on how you can donate money for this training facility. This post and pictures are provided by me, Mike “Miker” Rzepka, a Riverview Fire Dept. Firefighter.
