[1]Vacant home on Carper Road Southwest, Grand Mound
[2]Firefighter prepares
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Members of the Rochester-area fire department were joined by other agencies yesterday as they used fire to clear some property belonging to the Rochester School District.
The live fire training exercise was to include a chance yesterday for about 30 firefighters to learn more about fire behavior, smoke conditions and nighttime operations.
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott described the opportunity as very valuable to the department.
Personnel have been training in the structure for the past four months, on topics such as ventilation, search and rescue, fire attack, firefighter “may day” procedures and more, according to Scott.
“For us to receive this type of training for as many personnel that have participated would have cost thousands of dollars and required extensive travel in some cases – our only location for live fire training is 100 miles away at the State Fire Training Academy in North Bend,” Scott stated.
They let the fire take over the vacant house on Carper Road Southwest at about 8:30 p.m. and finished up about two hours later, according to Scott.
[3]Three firefighters practice their skills Thursday at a donated house next to Rochester High School.
[4]Personnel near the end of a live fire training exercise last night in Grand Mound.
[5]West Thurston Regional Fire Authority lets the fire take over.