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Updated: 12:44 AM Jul 25, 2007
High-Tech Firefighter Training
Firefighters from all over the state are training at a high-tech center in Juneau County, learning to handle any situation that comes their way.
Posted: 6:40 PM Jul 24, 2007Reporter: Katie Heinz Email Address: katie.heinz@weau.com |
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In the event of a natural disaster or terror attack, first responders have the paramount task of rescue and recovery.
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But with the ever-changing landscape of threats and the uncertainty of a large-scale event, it's important for firefighters to train constantly, learn new tactics and keep up with the times.
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That's why firefighters from all over the state are training at a high-tech center in Juneau County, learning to handle any situation that comes their way.
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It may not look like traditional firefighting.
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But these 43 first responders are learning hands-on, one step at a time, how to respond to a catastrophy.
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Instructors say the two-week course at the Regional Emergency All-Climate Training, or REACT Center on Camp Williams Military Reservation is a boot camp, of sorts, and the first training program of its kind in the area.
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"Training to ready people to respond to disasters - may it be natural or man made," said REACT Instructor and Eau Claire Firefighter Bill Drath.
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Ten-hour days: learning the geometry and engineering of buildings and how to carefully cut through concrete, steel and wood with high-powered tools, to ultimately know how to save a structure from further collapse and rescue victims from the rubble.
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"It's very intense training," Drath said. "Even as instructors, we're worn out by the end of the day. You're working with tools that are muscle-fatiguing. There's mental stress."
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Once the students learn the skills at each station, it's on to the rubble pile: a large simulation of the aftermath of a natural disaster.
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Zigzagging eight-foot long concrete tubes, with steel or wood barriers at the end that firefighters have to cut through.
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A maze to find victims, with plenty of obstacles: cars, trucks, an overturned bus, furniture, wires, even walls.
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"It's like a graduation, a culmination of the whole week's training," Drath said.
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The first responders also practice working together, learning how best to communicate with each other, but also using techniques like hand signals to communicate with train and crane operators.
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"If a large-scale disaster happens, you're going to bring in people from all over," Drath said.
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And trainees like Joe Bennett from La Crosse say it's practical for everyday situations.
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"If we ever had a building collapse, a gas explosion or tornado, I think it could be very practical," said REACT Trainee and La Crosse Firefighter Joe Bennett.
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Long-time Eau Claire firefighter Rick Merryfield says his department has already used this training twice for rescues.
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"It's lots of hands-on," said Merryfield, a REACT trainee. "A great opportunity we don't get in our local jurisdiction."
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