BIBLE HILL - Flames filled a mobile trailer in Bible Hill last night, and despite repeated attempts to extinguish it, the blaze caused persistent problems for hours.
Luckily, the scene was all simulated. Bible Hill firefighters' skills were tested during special training with a Mobile Burn Unit. Firefighters made their way through a small mobile trailer to practice dealing with heat patterns and intensity, water flow techniques, flash flames and much more.
"We were practicing water flow techniques and the burn unit would not go out unless we did it right," said Scott MacDonald, the village's first deputy chief.
MacDonald added training is an asset regardless of how many years of experience a firefighter has.
"You never have all the tricks of the trade. You always find new things to fight fires quicker and easier, especially with new technology," said MacDonald, a firefighter of 23 years.
The village's fire chief, Dwane Mellish, said continued training is vital for the safety of firefighters and the community. Using the mobile unit provided strict conditions that are not always available for fire crews to learn from.
"It's good to be exposed to actual heat conditions in a confined space because you never really know how hot it is until you are in it," said Mellish.
The MBU was unveiled in April and is the first of its kind in Nova Scotia. Based in Waverly, and operated by the Nova Scotia Firefighters School, the unit has been travelling to communities to train firefighters in live, controlled fire scenarios.
The unit offers training in roof ventilation, forcible entry, rollovers, dealing with intense heat, confined spaces, various live fire configurations and search and rescue techniques.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for local brigades to hone our skills, especially new members, of which we have five in the last year," said Mellish.
He said structures are more and more structurally sound, which means less structure fires.
"That's a good thing, but it also means there's not as most exposure for training purposes."
In addition, having the mobile unit come to Bible Hill meant about a dozen firefighters did not have to travel for the specialized training and kept crews in the village in case an emergency call came in.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
