The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Place to train for different fire situations
[ By Mark Reaman ]The weird looking stand-alone building by the new Crested Butte Fire Protection District fire station on Gothic Road got used for the first time last week and it will be regular training spot for local firefighters.
The training building was put into action on Thursday, March 12 as eight local firefighters trained to be instructors with the facility using Class B burn props fueled by propane. Fire chief Rob Weisbaum said the props were finished with installation the day before the training exercise.
“That day’s focus was on familiarizing the department’s fixed facility live fire instructors with the system and conducting the necessary safety checks to ensure it can be operated properly. This preparation is an important step before the facility can be used for training firefighters and trainees from across the north end of the valley,” he explained. “Training facilities that use burn props are required to be supervised by state-certified instructors for live fire training. The department currently has five certified instructors.”
The building will make it easier for general fire personnel to learn about real life situations. “The training facility allows firefighters to conduct exercises more frequently because it requires very little time to reset between scenarios. This provides crews with valuable opportunities to practice strategy and tactics used in structural firefighting,” he said. “Training evolutions include advancing hose lines through a building, practicing water spray patterns while moving through a structure, and conducting search operations to locate victims—often under simulated heavy smoke conditions.”
Weisbaum said the building also features movable walls that allow instructors to change the layout, preventing scenarios from becoming routine and ensuring firefighters must adapt to new conditions. In addition to fire attack and search-and-rescue training, crews can practice ladder operations to access patients through windows, perform roof ventilation using the department’s roof prop, conduct rope rescue rappelling and train in confined space rescue through an access hatch.
The Thursday exercise (shown above) was designed to showcase the realism of the burn prop and to test the functionality of it prior to placing it in service. “We were pleased with the outcome,” he said.
As for the future, there is no fixed training burn schedule to utilize the building. “However, firefighters will utilize the Class B burn prop more frequently, while the Class A burn room will be used much less often. The Class A burn room burns ordinary combustibles like untreated pallets and hay. This will not be as highly utilized as the gas props,” he said.
During the winter months, crews also limit the use of water during training evolutions. Spraying water from fire hoses can create freezing conditions inside the structure, which can present safety concerns and potential damage. “Because of this, crews carefully monitor weather conditions and choose appropriate times to conduct water-based training,” Weisbaum explained. “The department’s training captain regularly leads multiple training sessions each week to ensure all shifts have opportunities to participate. The bottom line is that this a great amenity for our firefighting crews and will be invaluable in terms of training.”
