Live burn training heats up for North Boone firefighters

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Daily Republican
A controlled fire at the base of the tower provides heat and smoke for firefighter training purposes in Poplar Grove.

Editor

Four fire departments joined to train together at the training tower in Poplar Grove on Saturday, April 21 – Kirkland, Capron Fire District 1, Boone County District 2, and North Boone County District 3.

“We have 20 firefighters training together today. It’s all about dedication and teamwork,” said Chief Hewlett. Like any other skill, if you don’t practice, you don’t improve. We have spent the last two weekends training as well. We appreciate North Boone sharing with other departments in the area. These districts are part of our mutual aid assistance organization.

“During a real fire, we need to depend on each other. It’s a matter of trust. If we train together, it helps build that trust. During an actual fire situation we will know how the firefighter beside us or at our back will react even if they work in a different district.

“This tower has heat panels to withstand the fire,” he explained. “The temperature can reach 1000 degrees near the ceiling. That’s hot enough to melt parts of the helmet. Our gear is fire resistant, not fireproof. We train firefighters to crawl into the burning building – it is cooler at the lower level.

“We may need to go in with zero visibility so we need to train how to search a room while coordinating with the teams. We have a hose

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Daily Republican
A controlled fire at the base of the tower provides heat and smoke for firefighter training purposes in Poplar Grove.

team and a search and rescue team. The chief coaches on the outside and communicates with the radio. The paramedics from North Boone are here to make sure we stay hydrated, check our oxygen tanks, and make sure we don’t get hurt.

“Today, we are simulating a basement fire. The firefighters need to maneuver around furniture and dangling wires. When there are hanging wires, the firefighter may get tangled and they must be able to self-rescue.

“We need to block the door open when we enter so the door does not close…

For complete article, pick up the May 2 BDR.