By DUANE NOLLEN
OSKALOOSA — Fire fighting is a dangerous, complicated task, and the Oskaloosa and New Sharon fire departments had a rare opportunity Saturday morning to practice their skills in a controlled setting.
About 25 firefighters and EMTs gathered at an abandoned farm house owned by Charles and Joan La Rue at 1893 Highway 63 before 9 a.m. to start a training exercise.
New Sharon Fire Chief Steve Gerard said this is a rare training opportunity, because in towns, you have issues such as smoke concerns with neighbors.
“Safety is No. 1,” Gerard told the firefighters before the exercise.
Firefighters practiced a wide range of skills they would need during a fire. They engaged in activities such as pump operations, instant command, ventilating a building, accountability, use of a self-contained breathing apparatus, and EMTs practiced taking the firefighters’ vital signs, Gerard said.
Gerard said the New Sharon Fire Department is skilled at drafting operations, where they draw water from a portable water tank to fight fires in rural areas, while the Oskaloosa Fire Department is skilled at fire hydrant operations.
There was a lot of preparation work for the exercise. The house had been tested for asbestos. Firefighters also knocked out a chimney for safety reasons before they started their training.
Gerard said that most New Sharon firefighters were in attendance and many new or reserve firefighters from Oskaloosa participated in the exercise.
New firefighters got to experience what it’s like to be in a smoke-filled room. They also learned how ventilating fans can aid them in fire fighting. Also, a thermal camera was on scene to help firefighters see hot spots and to spot firefighters or potential victims, Gerard said.
The exercise began at 9 a.m. and Gerard expected to wrap it up around 1 or 2 p.m.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com
