Drill Pictures continued:

 
FWFC Apparatus arrives at the scene to begin the drill

 

  Firefighters enter the building to begin fighting the fire.

 

Firefighter and Safety Officer Denise Zwicker collects the name tags of everyone who enters the building so that everyone is accounted for.   During these drills we never use a real fire, we use an artificial, non-toxic, smoke generator to safely simulate actual conditions.

 

 
A  safely positioned highway flare is used to simulate the source of the fire in the house.

 

  This photograph was taken inside the kitchen near the fire. This is what the firefighter sees. Visibility is limited to just a few inches, even with a bright light.  New firefighters are trained how to feel their way along the walls, either left or right hand sweeps so that they don't become disoriented.

 

 
A crew is sent to the roof to cut a hole, called venting, to release smoke trapped in the building.   A hose is positioned inside the building, pointing out the window and adjusted to a spray a wide fog pattern. This action, known as hydraulic ventilation, removes smoke from the structure.

 

 
Powerful electric fans are also employed to force smoke out of a building, once the fire has been placed under control.

 

 

  Meanwhile, new recruits are trained in hydrant connections by an experienced officer (in the white hat). FWFC accepts volunteers who are 16 years or older and trains them to become firefighters. Duties are limited to safe areas until the trainee has completed his or her training and attained the age of 18.