White Lake Fire Authority continually invests in training to ensure its team is fully prepared for the diverse scenarios they may encounter in their line of duty. Recently, they conducted a unique training session at the old Big John’s building, which emphasized both fire suppression and investigative techniques.
“We look at all of the different situations that we may face throughout the year and plan specific trainings to make sure that we are as ready as we can be,” explained Pete McCarthy, White Lake Fire Authority Fire Chief. This training included the use of live fires to replicate real-life conditions that are otherwise hard to simulate. “It’s difficult to recreate the true potential danger or hazard that’s there,” McCarthy added, emphasizing the importance of experiencing actual fire, heat, and smoke to develop effective response skills.
In past training sessions, White Lake Fire Authority has had the opportunity to work with donated residential structures, allowing firefighters to engage in full-scale exercises that simulate real fire conditions. “We allow that fire to grow, then the firefighters are allowed to go in and make a fire attack,” McCarthy explained. Such scenarios provide firefighters with critical hands-on experience in maneuvering through smoky environments, managing hoses, and relying on their personal protective equipment in real-time hazardous conditions.
The recent training at Big John’s, however, introduced a commercial setting, adding a new dimension to the exercise. Due to the building’s concrete block structure, the emphasis shifted from fire suppression to investigative work. “What we’re doing today is setting a series of small fires… the investigating team is going to come back next week and go through each individual room to conduct fire investigations,” McCarthy detailed. This investigative angle allows trainees to study burn patterns, material responses, and other clues critical to understanding fire origins.
White Lake Fire Authority’s commitment to continuous training, incorporating both suppression and investigative skills, helps ensure their readiness for diverse emergencies. By blending these two vital components, they’re building a team that’s not only equipped to handle fires as they happen but also skilled in analyzing them afterward for future safety and learning.
Watch a TikTok of some highlights here!
