SUNDRE – Skills that are not refined through training and used regularly in real-life scenarios run the risk of becoming rusty.
“All of our skills are perishable,” said Ryan Martens, a captain with the Sundre Fire Department.
“So it is important that we practise often with the most realistic conditions,” Martens told the Albertan by email.
Earlier in September, a group of firefighters with the local department had the opportunity to conduct a controlled burn of an acquired structure.
“This is excellent training for our department,” he said.
“Not only does it allow our newer members to get some experience with live fire, but it also allows our senior members to refine skills we don’t always get in a realistic scenario to practice.”
Live burns such as the one carried out on Sept. 14 offers members a chance to experience how a structure fire unfolds while maintaining a safe and controlled environment without having to worry about unpredictable variables involved in an emergency response such as whether anyone might be trapped inside.
“It is also great for showing fire behaviour as we aren’t as concerned with actively suppressing the fire,” he said.
Earlier this year, the department added to its fleet a brand new fire apparatus. Engine 521 is a custom-made Pierce Saber that was completely specified to meet the complex fire protection needs of Sundre.
“Since being put into service, this truck has been deployed on several occasions to for structure fires.”
Later this month, members of the fire department will be hosting an open house at the fire hall on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5-7 p.m. with the annual community Halloween pumpkin carving scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 23. As well, some of the members will be manning fire trucks to hand out candy for Halloween, he said.
