Training Day heats up for LBK firefighters

Longboat Key Fire Rescue conducted live fire training and firefighter survival drills last week. The drills were conducted at Sarasota County Technical Institute Fire Academy located at Beneva and Fruitville Roads.

In the morning, personnel were exposed to intense fire and heat in two drills where they had to perform a search and rescue of two occupants that were trapped in the building.  The first scenario simulated a commercial building while the second simulated a very large home found on Longboat Key.  The object of the drills was to provide a real life situation that the firefighters would be confronted with on Longboat Key.  The scenarios allowed personnel to work with and on water supply, communications, search and rescue, hose operations, air consumption, etc.

In the afternoon, there were also two drills that dealt with firefighter survival and more so a confidence builder whereby firefighters were placed in a maze, blindfolded (simulating a fire situation) and had to follow the fire hose those several obstacles including a simulated attic, inclines, cylinders, confined spaces such as walls studs, breaching walls using forcible entry tools, and exiting a small window.  Firefighters learned how to conserve air, work as a team, and again become confident in themselves and their partner.

The firefighters want to thank both Vice Mayor Dave Benner and Commissioner Pat Zunz for attending the training and wanting to know and learn more about what it takes to be a firefighter.