OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Job training in any field is important for success.
But the training that firefighters receive has the opportunity to save lives. The Papillion Fire Department had a controlled house burn on 114th and Schram Tuesday morning for training.
"It's a structure that was scheduled for demolition anyway. We were able to get into it to be able to get some crews some time in a actual house," Papillion Fire Captain Ty Cole said.
They invited KMTV out to see the training first hand. In the home, rooms were set on fire one by one as different crews went in.
"It's kind of more just practicing the trade and fine tuning things," Captain Cole said.
For the newer candidates, it's a great learning opportunity.
"Learning how to get down, move with the hose, you can see how the fire builds and see how you need to react depending on what's going on," new Papillion fire fighter Stephanie Ferguson said.
Ferguson has done nearly five of these types of real-life training experiences with different departments. But this is her first with Papillion. Being part of the fire department for just a couple months now, Ferguson is the first female Papillion fire fighter ever.
"It's pretty cool I think, it can inspire a lot of young females around the city and hopefully further than that," she said.
The specific fire they were working with Tuesday could really happen to anyone.
"We're simulating a fire that occurred in a bedroom. It could be anything from space heaters, candles, too many cords plugged into an electrical outlet that causes a fire," Captain Cole said.
Thanksgiving is also a very vulnerable time for house fires.
"The holidays coming up, lots of cooking going on, you can always have an increase in kitchen fires," Captain Cole said.
This training exercise could also serve as a good reminder for all of us to be extra cautious around the holidays.
