PENTICTON, B.C. — At first glance, it may look like grown men playing with toy trucks in a miniature town. But it’s actually part of a fire management training program that the firefighters for Penticton fire fighters that may allow them to move up the ranks and take on leadership roles.
Wesley Swaren has been with the Penticton Fire Department for 22 years, but in the next couple of years, he hopes to become a lieutenant and eventually, a captain.
The training sessions is the first step Swaren must take before he can realize his career goals.
“One of the biggest things is confidence. You train to be as ready for any emergency that comes in and we’re able to do this in a virtual sense, so we’re able to react when it actually happens,” says Swaren.
Keith Boswell is an instructor from the Justice Institute of British Columbia who is conducting the five-day program.
“If we can create as close to a real life event for them, prior to them experiencing the real thing, it helps them in being able to manage the incident,” he explains.
Fire Chief Wayne Williams also believes such training programs have improved the way crews handle blazes.
“One of the first thing it has improved is our attack capabilities, as well as our communications on the radio to understand what everyone is doing.”
Besides putting out fake flames in the miniature town, the firefighters must also complete a written and oral exam.
Five members are taking the training program this week and another five next week.
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