1st Responder Broadcast Network is the definitive source of local news for the Emergency Service Community portal and Resource for Firefighting, Fire, Rescue, EMS and Safety.

FLORA VISTA, NM – San Juan County firefighters conducted a large scale live fire exercise on December 9th, 2006 in the area of State Highway 516 and County Road 350. As part of a Company Officer training class, students participated in the burning of an old 5000 square foot commercial building that had been slated for demolition. While the condition of the structure did not lend itself to any interior fire attack training, students were able to apply their skills in determining needed fire flow, water supply, exposure protection, fireground communications, and Incident Command concepts.

The training, conducted by Captain Chris Shay of San Juan County Fire, stressed the importance of fireground safety and provided the opportunity for the students to observe some of the fire behavior associated with a well developed building fire. Prior to starting the exercise the needed flows were calculated; students received team assignments, reviewed a NFPA 1403 checklist, and took part in a safety/accountability briefing. After water supplies were established and protection and backup lines were put in place, radio communications and PPE were checked and the building was ignited.

The fire provided demonstration of fire department operations for local area residents and a unique learning opportunity for the class. A post-training critique was held and made available the chance for the students to discuss and reinforce the concepts that were practiced on the fireground.