Less than a year since its unveiling, Pemberton’s state-of-the-art fire-training facility is being put to use. On March 22 and 23, nine Pemberton firefighters took part in a live fire training exercise at the facility as part of their work towards a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certification.
“Live fire training is an essential part of firefighter education, exposing crews to realistic fire scenarios while reinforcing safe and effective response techniques,” according to a release from the Village of Pemberton. “This hands-on experience is crucial in preparing them for the unpredictable nature of emergency situations.
“Achieving this certification is not only a significant milestone in a firefighter’s career but also ensures they meet the highest standards of safety, competence and professionalism in the field.”
The training group consisted of six training staff and nine students working towards NFPA 1001. Students completed Live Fire 1 and 2 courses, which address how to extinguish a variety of blazes, including automotive fires, bin fires, compressed tank fires and structure fires.
“Firefighters learned basic skills such as hose handling and nozzle control, as well as advanced skills like leading a team in fire attack and crew coordination,” according to a statement from the Village.
“Additional skills training to assist with fire attack were added throughout the weekend, including forcible entry, interior search, and ventilation. All skills were interjected into multiple scenarios throughout the weekend.”
Before the three-storey, $450,000 training facility came to fruition, Pemberton Fire Rescue used a retired train car to practice with any live fire. As Pique previously reported, the train provided an outdated steel structure that didn’t meet standards for certification, resulting in members having to go elsewhere for training at significant cost.
The new facility “provides ... firefighters with a controlled environment to develop and refine the critical skills needed for real-life emergencies,” according to the release.
“We are incredibly proud of our firefighters for their hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe,” said the Village. “Their commitment to ongoing training and professional development is what makes our fire department strong and ready to respond when needed.”
