In a burning display of readiness, the City of Fort Myers Fire Department came in hot with their live fire training! As Southward Village demolition was moving forward, Housing Authority City of Fort Myers was generous enough to donate the structures for this training. FMFD transformed what could have been rubble into an opportunity to sharpen firefighters’ skills. The City’s fire department extended the invitation to neighboring departments to join, bringing in 11 fire departments within Lee County, who reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the preparedness of first responders. 

The four day training included igniting small fires inside the houses, which gave firefighters the opportunity to recognize changing fire conditions in a controlled environment. Under the guidance of 18 certified live fire instructors, during four days of live fire training that came and went from early morning through late afternoon, 330 firefighters honed their craft and faced any unexpected challenges that could come from real-life scenarios. It was great to see how the live fire training showcased the dedication, skills, and professionalism of our firefighters, while highlighting the importance of ongoing training and preparedness in emergency response.