FCVFD - Incident Photos
Firefighter I/II - Live Fire Exercise
click to view a larger version of each picture
Description
Recruits were introduced to their first live fire training at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department training center. The facility simulates interior fire conditions within specially designed rooms using propane burners and smoke generators. Each team of students was led into the scenarios by senior volunteer firefighters under the supervision of Falls Church VFD and Montgomery County career officers. Conditions inside the building were continuously monitored from a control room attached to the burn rooms. Thermometers placed at heights of 8 feet and 5 feet within each burn room routinely indicated temperatures close to 1000 degrees near the ceiling and 500 degrees closer to the floor. Additional safety features allow the structure to be ventilated automatically if temperatures exceed safe limits and the propane flow stopped if an emergency develops. The control room is also equipped with windows so the interior of each burn room can be viewed by the operator. Many thanks to the Montgomery County Fire Department Training Academy staff who made this training possible. Captain Nelson, Captain Keyser, and Lieutenant Polikoff were extraordinarily enthusiastic, cooperative, and supportive throughout the planning and execution of this valuable training event. Thanks also to the volunteer instructors who led the crews, organized the logistics, and commanded the scene. Paul Schomburg, Jimmy Smith, Brian Holder, Steve Sisler, and Paul Melnick served as team leaders. The rehabilitation area was handled by Russ Slater, Rohit Khanna, and Audrey Perlow. Our pump operator was Charles Harvey. Scott Pardi supported operations with Light and Air 103 and also participated on the interior crews. Pat Evinger and Jim Clarke rotated from Incident Commander to Interior Safety. James Fortner served as Interior Safety and Exterior Safety. Auxiliary members Shirley Martin and Lee Childress staffed Canteen 106 and provided food and drinks, including lunch. For reference purposes while viewing the photos, the Recruit teams were as follows: Team 1 - Doug Briller, David Schild, Nancy Olynik (Co.3) Team 2 - Greg Laux, John Heinen, Jennifer Reichert, Christian Thompson Team 3 - Chris Becker, Mike Murray, Mike Doyle (Co.2), Sarah Ancona (Co.3) Team 4 - Bryan Richardson (Co.3), Tony Schloss, Justin Kirby In addition to the recruit class, career firefighters from Station 6-B and 1-B experienced the flashover simulator on the same day. Some photos of their activities are also included here.
Return to the Index
