<body><div>This week Spring Firefighters are training on two Northampton houses facing demolition. “The firefighters basically help us demo,” said Walter Guzman, Northampton Properties Property Manager. When asked why he reached out to Spring Fire Guzman added, “Why not? It just makes sense. We want to contribute to our fire department.”This type of opportunity is rare and much appreciated. “The most difficult thing for a fire crew is to show up at a structure they have no information about,” said Jeffery L. King, Deputy Chief of Health, Safety and Professional Development. “The ability to practice in a space a firefighter would have to respond in provides an intimate understanding of structures in our territory.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0EccNz_0wItVTSU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0EccNz_0wItVTSU00" width="768" height="1024" ><figcaption>Pictured above: Spring Firefighters Nicole Sardelich and Matthew Lu training on ventilation.</figcaption></figure>“We really appreciate Mr. Guzman reaching out to us and making this opportunity happen,” added King. “All three shifts get to practice our craft.” As a young man Guzman wanted to be a firefighter but says his mother talked him out of it. He is excited his company, that buys, renovates and manages rental properties, is part of something bigger, “I’m expecting to see some action. That would be cool.”Guzman welcomed Spring Fire’s Cadet Class 23 to train on another house a couple of years ago. He called last week with two more opportunities for Spring Firefighters. Last week Spring Fire personally let the neighbors know this would be taking place. Nadya, who lives next door to the training has enjoyed watching from her lawn. She said it was “exciting, looks like a movie.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0JZDPa_0wItVTSU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0JZDPa_0wItVTSU00" width="768" height="1024" ><figcaption>Pictured above: Captain Rodger Hernandez demonstrating how to bailout safely from a window.</figcaption></figure>“It’s extremely important, imperative to do this,” said Spring Fire C-Shift District Chief Jimmy Stewart who believes training makes or breaks an emergency response organization. “It would be nice if we got more properties like this.” Several of Chief Stewart’s crews trained in residential search and rescue, roof ventilation, isolating the fire by closing doors to slow the fire’s progression, window bailouts, finding hot spots in walls and much more.Smoke machines were used to make the exercises more realistic. “It’s good,” said Spring Fire Captain Billy Burdge whose crew was staged until “dispatched like a regular fire.”The exercises have received very positive input from Spring Fire Crews. They will be continuing with A-Shift on Wednesday and B-Shift on Friday.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3sx3Ax_0wItVTSU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3sx3Ax_0wItVTSU00" width="768" height="1024" ><figcaption>Pictured above: Spring Firefighters moving a ladder to where it’s needed.</figcaption></figure>Apparatus Operator Sydney Sundell called this an “awesome opportunity” because of how close these scenarios are to the real thing as they face obstacles “we are going to actually encounter like a reinforced roof and offset driveways. You get to be in a real life scenario without the stress of the real thing.”With an ever-changing area, individuals and companies seeking to demo structures can call their local fire department with training opportunities. “We appreciate people like Mr. Guzman giving us an incredible opportunity to help improve response and safety, added King.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Spring Firefighters Get Rare Training Opportunity

This week Spring Firefighters are training on two Northampton houses facing demolition. “The firefighters basically help us demo,” said Walter Guzman, Northampton Properties Property Manager. When asked why he reached out to Spring Fire Guzman added, “Why not? It just makes sense. We want to contribute to our fire department.”