Neb. Firefighters Train With Commercial Building

Jan. 14, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha firefighters tackled a rare opportunity Thursday. They were called to 49th and Dodge streets, not for a fire, but for training. The area was once home to the 49r Bar and a coffeehouse. Now it sits fenced and empty, ready to make room for a CVS Pharmacy. But before that happens, Omaha firefighters have some business to do.

OMAHA, Neb. --

Omaha firefighters tackled a rare opportunity Thursday. They were called to 49th and Dodge streets, not for a fire, but for training.

The area was once home to the 49r Bar and a coffeehouse. Now it sits fenced and empty, ready to make room for a CVS Pharmacy. But before that happens, Omaha firefighters have some business to do.

This type of training is not something we get in a brand new training center because of the legacy style of construction and windows that we have here, Battalion Chief Shane Hunter said.

Crews spent the morning on various skills. They used artificial smoke to add to the reality.

Its a rare opportunity for the firefighters to use the commercial building for training and deal with the brutal temperatures.

This is so valuable. Its not just a bonus, its valuable, lifesaving training that we are getting here today, Hunter said.

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