Clearview firefighting recruits went through a training exercise on Sunday, responding to a mock structure fire – a scenario firefighters will face thousands of times.
“They need to be methodical and proper every time that they do it so the idea is not to do it as fast as they can, the idea is to do it as accurately and efficient as they can,” says training officer Darren Johnston.
Recruitment class is only about five months long, but the training is intense.
“It is a lot of work. We do a lot of work, we do a lot of exams and online programs for schooling, but I'd say the most fun and demanding is definitely all the physical stuff we do,” says recruit Ashley Hopkins.
All the recruits learn safety is always the top priority.
“Always give yourself a way out and always be thinking ahead at least one or two steps,” says Clearview Fire Chief Colin Shewell.
Training also involves planning before you reach the emergency; taking into consideration whether obstacles like temperature and wind is essential, as is learning new equipment like the RTV1.
“Today we utilized it in a grassfire well over a thousand feet back into the bush,” says Shewell. “Definitely saved our firefighters some work getting resources in and getting resources out.”
Part of that training involves the obstacle course.
“The goal of the obstacle course is to encounter their worst case scenario should they enter a structure fire,” says Johnston.
The final training stage takes place in late May and recruit Clint Duggan says for him, firefighting is as much a privilege, as it is a duty.
“You put up your wall and you go to work. It's a job and your there to help people.”
