For local volunteer firefighters, one of the few ways to practice realistic fire conditions in past years was to actually run into a burning building with nothing but their protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus and a hoseline during controlled-burn training.
Overseen by veteran firefighters, these practice fires were set under less than ideal conditions. Although they were controlled situations, there was always the chance of something unplanned happening — a trainee falling into a small hole in the floor, a partially collapsed roof falling on the interior fire team, etc.
This practical experience for probationary firefighters supplemented the many hours of classroom and non-fire training that increases almost yearly.
But some of that hands-on training, thankfully, is about to change.
After more than five years of planning, local firefighters will soon have their first specialized training facility to house continuing-education and beginner courses and also provide "hose-on" experience.
The $640,000 facility, being built next to the Emergency Services building at PARC, will house a four-story tower for rappelling and high-angle rescue practice, and a pitched roof — similar to those on many two-story homes — to provide aerial-ladder instruction.
It will also have a forcible-entry system, interior smoke and sprinkler systems and two rooms where volunteers can set and douse actual fires in highly controlled situations. There will be other, unlimited ways in which local firefighters can train in and on the structure.
The foundation for the industrial-style building was dug last week, and it's expected construction will be completed by fall, with the facility ready for training by November.
Former Clinton County Emergency Services Director Jim King had the idea for such a training facility more than a decade ago, but the stars weren't aligned until this year under Director Eric Day. Municipalities across the state have had similar firefighter training areas for many years. In fact, Franklin County has a smaller training ground for similar training.
Without a doubt, the new education tool will enhance local training opportunities to heights seldom realized in the North Country. The important element is that it will provide real-life scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, unlike the "controlled" burns that occurred in every fire district in the country for years.
Further, as firefighters in Clinton County embark on more specialized tasks to help and keep safe those in their communities — swift- and cold-water rescues, rappelling and interior-fire search and rescue — the facility will reinforce new firefighter strategies and techniques through ongoing training and give them reinforcement in handling emergencies in a safe manner.
This facility has been years in the making. It will be a tremendous boost to our communities' first-responders.
Opinion
September 10, 2009
Another tool for firefighters
- Editorial
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Editorial: A pair of aces among the Cards
How fitting was it for Bob Emery and Kevin Houle to achieve coaching milestones on the same day and in the same building.
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Editorial: A pair of aces among the Cards
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Cheers and Jeers: Feb. 6, 2012
CHEERS to Dr. Anne Cahill and JEERS to drivers who don't signal for turns and changing lanes.
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Cheers and Jeers: Feb. 6, 2012
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
AFSCME Local 788 has received the opinion and award of Arbitrator Kenneth J. Toomey denying the union's grievance of the city's Financial Lockbox, by which residents' water, sewer and trash payments can be routed to a Glens Falls National Bank subcontractor in Hicksville, Long Island, union President Denise Nephew writes.
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In My Opinion: Behind the city lockbox program
