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An inside look at the new firefighter training facility

Mar 1, 2017 | 4:46 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB —Firefighters are the people who walk into danger when others flee.

They do it to save the lives, pets and property of complete strangers.

It’s a job that requires constant training to ensure the safety of the men and women who fight fires.

Firefighters in Medicine Hat now have a new training facility in the recently completed Fire Station No. 2

The training tower is a three-storey concrete structure, complete with functioning windows and balconies.

Fire training crews are able to fill the new centre with an artificial smoke to simulate conditions similar to what firefighters will face on the job.

“We’re going to be able to smoke our training tower up and we’ll be able to do search and rescue for victims in a simulated fire scene,” said Garnet Decker, chief fire training officer.

Firefighters can also train on how to open locked doors while causing the least amount of damage using a new forcible entry apparatus.

The other new piece of training equipment in the fire hall is the confined space or ‘confidence maze’.

Firefighters get geared up and go through the crawling maze that simulates what it would be like to try and escape from a collapsed building.

The tactical team also uses the course to train firefighters on how to rescue a victim from difficult places.

“We want to make it as realistic as we can and give our firefighters the best training available to them,” said Decker. “They can practice those skills and be able to respond for the citizens of Medicine Hat.”

Firefighters said having the ability to train in this environment any time they need is invaluable.

“Time is critical for our job, we want to get in and out as soon as possible not only for the safety of our members but for the safety of the public too,” said Lieutenant Jason Van Dam.

In an active fire situation where minutes and seconds can make a huge difference, knowing what to do is important.

“Depending on the situation they’re in, it might be very time sensitive, a life or death situation,” said Van Dam.