Evening training reps on a Monday night

It was quite swampy at the Live Fire Training Facility Monday night as your Graafschap Firefighters refined their skills during multiple fire attacks. Crews rotated two at a time between attack, backup, and rehab.

The LFTF is owned in partnership with seven fire departments in west Michigan. Graafschap FD schedules at least 6 sessions a year at this facility behind the fire station in Saugatuck. Only pallets and natural products are used to build “sets” so we comply with NFPA 1403 Live Fire regulations.

Crews are in constant communication with instructors and have a good knowledge of the building, which greatly reduces anxiety and the chance of getting lost. This allows them to hone skills and improve on the basics. A more senior member is paired up with newer members, and a thermal imager is used to keep good orientation.

A rehab station is vitally important to make sure members are hydrating properly. Health monitoring is a must before they are allowed to continue. Some incident commanders go two deep on each assigned position needed for a particular fire in either hot or cold extreme conditions. Next time you see a news story with an exorbitant amount of firefighters standing around know they are backups, rehabbing, or awaiting an assignment.