Report: Boston Firefighters Had Just Completed Training

BOSTON --

The two Boston firefighters killed in a restaurant fire took part in a crisis training program just hours before their deaths.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that the training program, designed to show firefighters how to react in a crisis situation, was continued on Thursday in West Roxbury.

Two firefighters, Paul Cahill, 55, of Scituate, and Warren Payne, 53, of Canton, were killed in the West Roxbury fire. Ten Boston firefighters and one paramedic were injured.

As Boston-area firefighters completed drills on Thursday, they said thoughts of their fallen colleagues were on their minds.

"It could be us. It could definitely happen to us," firefighter Kevin Minor said.

In fact, the firefighters who perished or were injured in the fire spent Wednesday going through the grueling training exercises where the focus is saving themselves or working as a team to save a fellow firefighter in crisis.

"The lieutenant last night that worked on the rescue, he was in there. And he pulled one of the victims out, and he told me this morning, 'I was at the firehouse this morning.' He said, 'Stevie, tell all the guys that what we're training them to do is the real deal,'" said Lt. Steven Baldassari.

Firefighters wear a black mask to simulate zero visibility in a burning building. They said real life is much worse.

"In a fire situation, it's a thousand times worse. We're carrying at least 75 pounds worth of equipment on us. You're encapsulated with your bunker gear. That's absorbing the heat. Your stress level is going through the roof," said Lt. Santiago Lasa.

Aside from the physical nature of the drills, department veterans said the drills are about being smart, remaining calm and in control in very dangerous situations.

"We're a huge family across the country. And we pull together and try to heal," Minor said.

"This is going to save our guys. We're taking a big hit right now. But in tribute to those guys, we need to keep training," Lasa said.