LITTLE CURRENT—Members of several Island fire departments came to the NEMI Recreation Centre parking lot where an Ontario Fire College mobile live fire training facility was set up for several days. The unit offers an opportunity for firefighters to experience rescue operations under conditions closer to those they would experience at an actual fire.
Taking part in the exercises were firefighters from NEMI, Aundeck Omni Kaning, Central Manitoulin, Gore Bay and Assiginack.
Ontario Fire College Instructor Mark Parliament noted that the turnout for the training was exceptional.
Unlike working with a derelict house such as the one recently donated to the fire department by Mark and Linda Schrader, working on a class B fire such as the one simulated by the trailer is much closer to the environment firefighters would find themselves in when facing a real fire.
“This is repeatable,” said Mr. Parliament. “A few minutes after the first team goes in, you can set it up again for another team.” The smoke, the flames, the darkness, all are simulated in the training trailer in a safe and controllable fashion.
The training took place over the course of several days, making it possible for the volunteer firefighters, most of whom have day jobs, to take part in the proceedings.
