All smoke, no fire; perfect for training - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Huntingburg Volunteer Firefighter Josh Hemmer demonstrated how hard it is to see in the smoke-filled house. Though it was a simulation, the fog machines used for the training can create a heavy, thick smoke effect similar to what is encountered in a real fire. During yesterday’s training, firefighters had little to no visibility and relied on all their senses to find and extinguish the fire.

It was all smoke, but no fire, as firefighters trained on a home set to be demolished just off U.S. 231/Main Street in Huntingburg Wednesday evening.

Firefighters from the Huntingburg and Jasper fire departments held a joint training session, practicing home entry and responding to simulated scenarios on multiple levels.

“Acquired structures provide some of the most valuable training opportunities available, allowing firefighters to practice realistic search and rescue, fire attack, ventilation, forcible entry, and other critical skills in an actual residential setting,” said the Huntingburg Fire Department in a Facebook post.

*The thick fog had already dissipated by the time these photos were taken.*

Earlier this year, the Huntingburg Fire Department and Jasper Fire Department entered into an Automatic Aid Agreement. Since then, the partnership has proven to be a tremendous benefit to both departments and, most importantly, to the communities they serve.

Firefighter Adam Meece shines his headlamp up from the basement of the home. The thick smoke covering the steep stairs leading to the basement is closer to the conditions firefighters experienced during training.

Under the agreement, when one of the participating fire departments is called to an emergency, the partnering agency is automatically contacted as well and responds with appropriate assistance. They can be called off the response if they are not needed.

*Flickering lights indicate the source of the fire. This time, an oven in a small kitchenette at the back of the house.*

By training together, the departments become familiar with each other and can respond more effectively.

“That means when we respond together on an emergency, we can work seamlessly as one team—providing a safer, faster, and more effective response for our citizens,” said the Huntingburg Fire Department on its Facebook page.

The department also asked property owners to contact them if they own a house or other structure they plan to tear down. Please give us a call before demolition—especially if the property is located outside the city limits. Donating a structure for firefighter training provides invaluable hands-on experience that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom or training tower.