SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Firefighters in Southern California started off Super Bowl Sunday with several life saving lessons during Firehouse World.
Dozens of firefighters learned about extrication, fire ground tactics and survival.
At the former U.S. Navy training center, firefighters went through an obstacle course that required physical and mental patience as well as perseverance.
Using the prop, they followed a hose line on the second floor of the old barracks building. When reaching the landing on the stairwell, they encountered a collapse. The firefighters then maneuvered through the mess of two-by-fours, pallets and other debris.
"A lot of guys that (sic) go through this class say: 'There's no way I can make it through this'" said San Diego Firefighter Chad Willenberger, one of the instructors for this session. "It's a good eye opener and a good check on their past training."
While normal procedures called for going down the stairs feet first, these firefighters had to crawl, climb or squirm around the wood. Some performed the reduced profile technique.
Offering encouragement to the students is a key to helping the firefighters through the class. "This (prop) takes them to the next level," Willenberger said. "Part of them wants to quit and this makes them want to succeed."
The prop was built by the San Diego city firefighters who use the facility to train. Students come away with firefighter survival techniques and rapid intervention skills.
While he was going through the prop, Miramar Captain Josh Allen kept was saying: "How in the world am I going to do this?"
"It's a simple prop, but a wonderful experience that really brings you to reality."
Firefighters also had the chance practice forcible entry, vertical ventilation and more.
In Mike Dugan's "Engine and Truck Company Coordinated Fire Attack" class, firefighters stretched a hand line over a ground ladder to a second floor fire -- as the line was charged -- a burst length was discovered and crews had to scramble to replace it.. While some firefighters kinked it, others retrieved another length of hose to replace it.
On the border of the United States and Mexico, firefighters learned a myriad of vehicle extrication and rescue techniques from Firehouse Contributing Editor Ron Moore. With more than a half dozen vehicles positioned on roofs and sides, students practiced extrication using a variety of tools and equipment. They will take back valuable techniques.
At the Poway Fire Training Facility, firefighters used every nook and cranny of a new training building. Ed Hadfield's "Live Fire Attack" session featured down and dirty engine and truck training, with live burns, hoseline operations and a mix of truck tactics.
