Last night our department had an opportunity to practice some “real life” training at a home that is being torn down. The owners donated the home to us to run a training drill where we are able to simulate a real house fire and practice skills like fire suppression, search and rescue, roof ventilation operations, and forcible entry tactics. With the use of a smoke machine we can create a semi-realistic fire environment for our crews to practice their skills. It’s as close to the real thing as we can get and we always appreciate when homeowners allow us to do this.