Inside look at firefighter training

Amity Addrisi, Reporting
Eyewitness news investigations on line magazine, Wed. 1/23/08

We know firefighters go through extensive training, but how do they really put themselves to the test? Eyewitness News got a first hand look at the hands on training cadets get before they fight their first fire.

The Kern County Fire Department says they want their cadets to be prepared for anything, inside a specially designed trailer cadets experience one of the most dangerous situations in fire fighting.

When firefighters get a call they never know what to expect, and fighting a fire is a lot more complicated that putting water on the flames. Training coach and Kern County Fire Captain Mark Phillips tells us "As they (cadets) graduate from the academy, from day one they can be exposed form real live residential structure fires, where temperatures at time can get over one thousand degrees."

After weeks of classes cadets, dive into a flame filled trailer armed with their training and a high powered hose. We asked cadets what the experience is like, they told us "It is fairly intense but luckily we have the hose stream to keep the flames away from us."

Eyewitness News wanted to know what these guys go through to become certified protectors of our community, so we got in on the action. Suited up with full protective clothing, boots, helmet and breathing mask we were ready to be thrown in the fire. Inside the trailer we experienced just how quickly the temperature rises as flames come at you, and with more than 20 pounds of gear and a breathing apparatus, the situation can be very nerve racking. Captain Phillips told us they hope the trailer puts recruits to the test. He says the trailer is a controlled, safe environment where if there is any type of emergency, if any one gets scared or has a problem they know now.

It's the first live fire experience for these cadets, before they go out and experience a real fire. Kern County Fire Captain and Information Officer Chris Hoover tells us "It gives them some thing to compare with and be prepared so it will be second nature when they go (to a fire)." Next week these cadets will fight a real house fire with a home donated to the Kern County Fire Department and after that they'll graduate.