IT’S A HOUSE FIRE! BUT NO NEED TO CALL THE FIREFIGHTERS…IN FACT, THEY’RE THE ONES WHO SET IT ABLAZE!
THE ROME VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SET THIS ABANDONED HOUSE ON FIRE AS PART OF A TRAINING EXERCISE. CLOSE TO 60 VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FROM TEN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND TWO COUNTIES PARTICIPATED.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS AREA FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO SET FIRE TO A BUILDING FOR TRAINING PURPOSES.
THE FIRE FIGHTERS WORKED ON HOW TO BEHAVE WHILE IN A BURNING BUILDLING, HOW TO CONDUCT SEARCH AND RESCUE, AND DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR PUTTING OUT A FIRE.
16-YEAR-OLD MITCHELL CLEM IS ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE TRAINING.
SOT:
"I ATTENDED THE FIRE TRAINING TO BETTER MYSELF. WE LEARNED A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF THE OTHER DAY AND IT JUST HELPS ME OUT WITH MY FUTURE CAREER BECAUSE I PLAN ON BEING A PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTER AT THE CITY OF ATHENS.
I JUST LOVE IT. IT JUST EXCITES ME FOR SOME REASON. I SEE ALL THESE GUYS ROUND AROUND. AND I JUST THINK WHEN I WAS YOUNGER. I JUST WANT TO DO THAT."
VO:
THE HOUSE BURNED FOR TEN HOURS UNTIL THE FIRE FIGHTERS CLEARED IT AROUND MIDNIGHT.
Instructional Links
Online Reference Book: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Firefighters
Website Article: Explain that Stuff, Firefighting | Explains equipment & science behind firefighting
Website Article: Tween Tribune, Is Fire A Solid, A Liquid Or A Gas? | Leveled story with video with critical thinking question.
Video: YouTube, Kid's Firefighter Combat Challenge | Highlight of firefighting competition for children