A house is on fire in Bethlehem - but don't panic - there's absolutely nothing to worry about.
The New Zealand Fire Service is completing an acquired structure burn as part of their training for service personnel on fire development and extinguishment of structure fires.
The training began at 8am and will continue until 4pm.
Today's exercise will consist of up to 10 small fires which will allow trainees to observe fire development and practice extinguishment techniques.
The house has now been completely set ablaze and will be allowed to burn down in a controlled manner.
The training is being provided to NZ Fire Service brigades from Tauranga, Greerton, Mount Maunganui and Matakana Island.
3 comments
Good thing....but...
Posted on 15-10-2016 14:29 | By groutby
why did they (NZ Fire Service) close training in local station "heat and smoke chambers"?...all very well doing occasional training such as this, but frequent BA training in an unpleasant enclosure such as the chamber was invaluable and can only surely be replicated in a "real life" situation.."on the job" training seems a little inadequate doesn't it? I cannot help thinking (as an ex. volunteer) the emphasis is nowaday put on not harming the firefighter "at all cost" rather than the "real" reason for being in the service...to save lives and minimise property damage...good experience for the inexperienced tho....
Heat & Smoke Chambers
Posted on 15-10-2016 17:28 | By Leader
The smoke chamber which was used at Mount Maunganui would never meet today's Health & Safety requirements aside from that station being relocated. Recruit firefighters are now trained in BA at the National Training Centre in Rotorua in chambers which are much more closely controlled and could not be described as inadequate but are world class. Safety of our firefighters is now a focus by the Fire Service which is a good thing.
Leader, in answer.......
Posted on 16-10-2016 17:46 | By groutby
I was not referring to Mt Maunganui in particular, you will then be aware that NO heat and smoke chambers will in fact "meet" H &S requirements, simply because of a change of I will assume rules regarding such. I would not for a moment doubt that the standard in Rotorua is indeed "world class"...do all current firemen have continual and ongoing refreshers in such establishment?..I suggest not, for me, I entered the service at the time, knowing my responsibilities and duties, safety of myself was indeed on "the list"..but not at the top.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.