Around 20 firefighters from four different departments of Douglas County met in Ava last Saturday for training that will conclude this Saturday. The house on NW 10th Street is owned by the city and will be burned for demolition. Before burning the structure, firemen will be able to experience real fire and real smoke, learning to use positive pressure ventilation, practicing with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), and also practicing search and rescue procedures. In the top photo above, firefighters and EMT students meet outside the house for instructions. The bottom two pictures show firefighters in the training operation last Saturday. Notice how the smoke hangs toward the ceiling, leaving a more clear path next to the floor in the smoke-filled area. When the structure is burned this Saturday, portions of NW 10th Street will be closed to all traffic for maneuvering fire trucks and for the safety of all concerned.
