WEYBURN – Weyburn fire fighters hosted a number of smaller area fire departments for two days of training over the weekend, and hope they will be able to do more as the Weyburn department develops its own training area.
Fire fighters came from Yellow Grass, Milestone, Estevan and the 737 department, which serves Oungre and the RMs of Lomond and Souris Valley and area.
There were both in-class and outdoor sessions throughout Saturday and Sunday, and a number of the experienced longtime members of the Weyburn department assisted in the training scenarios.
Some of the sessions held on Saturday included extrication from a motor vehicle, as well as how to deal with a vehicle fire, and ladder rescues.
On Sunday the focus went to interior fire-fighting, such as how to attack a fire inside a structure and what to watch for.
The outdoor portions of the training took place in an area that the Weyburn Fire Department is developing on the site of the former round house, which was demolished last year.
Part of the area is for the fire department’s use and includes a large cement pad in place. So far an office-trailer donated by Cardinal Energy is in place, and two sea-cans have been set up, and a variety of interior scenarios can be simulated, including filling the interior with smoke.
Fire fighters learn how to suppress a fire inside and to navigate their way through the thick smoke.
One of the fire fighters in charge of the training, Lindsay Leko, explained they are hoping to build a second floor on top of one of the sea-cans, along with stairs and other features, so they can practice more ladder work and other interior scenarios.
He estimated the fire fighters have raised and used about $30,000 so far, along with donated items (like the office-trailer) to help develop the training area, with one annual fundraiser to help provide funds, the Ladies Night Out annual event.
