The Bremen Fire Department hosted a live training burn for several area fire departments at a donated house on Fogler Road on June 25.
Firefighters from Bremen, Bristol, Newcastle, Nobleboro, South Bristol and Waldoboro practiced entry, ventilation and pumping water from local ponds. All departments’ firefighters were on mixed teams to learn to work together, said Bremen first responder and Selectman Hank Nevins in an email to The Lincoln County News.
Helen Higgins, of Bremen and California, donated the house to the department because it was beyond repair, she said.
Although Higgins said she’s glad the house could be of service to local fighters, “It’s very emotional for us,” she said. “It’s been in the family for so long, it has a great deal of sentimental value.”
Higgins said she has no plans for the property at this time.
Live burn training is necessary for all firefighters before they may enter burning structures to fight fires. Without a donated structure to burn, the training can be extremely expensive. In all, 14 firefighters received their first live burn training, said Bremen Fire Chief Fern Poland.
One section of the structure was used for interior attacks; small, smoky fires are set, and a team of firefighters goes in to quell the flames. After entry, each firefighter must go to “rehab,” to have their vital signs checked, so the Bremen First Responders were ready with water, snacks and blood pressure cuffs.
After every practice drill had been completed, firefighters burned the structure to the ground on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters stood by the dramatic burn, until no flames were visible. On a day when it poured at times, the departments participating gained extremely valuable experience, Nevins wrote.
The Bremen Fire Department thanks all participating departments, everyone lending a hand and, especially, the property owners who generously allowed this training to happen, Nevins wrote.
