New recruits feel the burn during fire training

By Lethbridge Herald on October 25, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Fire Investigator / instructor nstructor Adam Saturley, at right, works with a pair of recruits in a live burn training exercise Tuesday at Fire Station No. 4.

Ry Clarke – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Lethbridge Fire Department held its fire ground practical training Tuesday afternoon at Fire Station No. 4 having recruits participate in two live fire burns to show how quickly a fire can start, and learn the importance of having simulations as part of their training. 

Two simulation sites were constructed by Rocky Cross Construction and set ablaze in a controlled environment where recruits watched the fires overtake the structure and then proceeded with extinguishing the blaze. One was done in a simulation of an accelerant fire, gasoline, while the other was done in an “accidental scenario”. The simulation helped recruits learn about how fires spread and what can cause them to burn quicker than other scenarios, aiding with the investigation side of firefighting.

“We started in September, so we are brand new. We have all had previous experience from all different walks of life,” said Zakary Jantz, recruit. “In just a couple of months of time, my personal knowledge and experience has skyrocketed. This is a great department to work for. They really look after us. We are a little bit nervous, with things starting on fire. But it’s a huge learning experience for us, especially since that’s what the job involves.”

Noting the knowledge learned in the training experience, Jantz says it helps him understand more of what the job entails.

“We put it out but also notice the little things, like where a fire was, how it started. These things are huge parts of the investigation. Learning those little tidbits really helps, we all contribute.”

Adam Saturley, fire investigator and instructor, said the experience is important to both how firefighters handle blazes but also how they can assess the scene afterwards and help with investigations, noting the hands-on experience helps towards training and how they interact with the scene of a fire, during the blaze and after.

With training for the new recruits ending around December, things are just beginning to heat up for the new firefighters. 

“It’s a different job everyday. Getting to see new faces and helping out the community,” said Jantz.