Fire crews practice at strip mall

A training exercise Monday at the abandoned Long's drug store on Highway 50 East had all the features of a real inferno - except the flames.

This week firefighters are using the 87,000 square feet of abandoned office buildings and retail storefronts at the former Carson City Square to run drills that simulate real emergency situations.

Though a "live fire" would be too dangerous for the site, Battalion Chief Dan Shirey said running random exercises builds skills in decision making, procedures and discipline.

"This place has got hidden spaces, facades, a hidden ceiling - a place where you have to take the ladder up and then down," he said. "We're practicing for extreme situations."

Training started Monday, but will step up on Wednesday and Thursday when work crews, preparing the shopping center for demolition, finish removing recyclable and hazardous materials.

As it stands now, the building still has to be locked at night. When final demolition preparations are complete, the fire department can break down doors or windows.

"Once it's OK we'll start to break things," he said. "We'll practice forcible entry and breaking windows. You can watch all the videotapes about this stuff you want but you have to do it to understand the techniques.

"For us, it's like being a kid in a candy store."

During Monday's exercise, 13 firefighters stood by while preparations were made. When the battalion chiefs were ready, crews were sent in with little information about the simulated danger they might find inside.

In one instance, Shirey told the men there was smoke showing in the northeast corner, indicating fire in a storage area. The men entered and were further instructed on how to proceed. In this case, the ceiling had fallen.

A smoke machine simulated visibility problems while the men attempted to get water to the fire site. Trying to be true to a real fire, the men actually sprayed water inside the building, creating water underfoot.

"This space is large enough where we can simulate an increased level of response," Shirey said.

In another exercise, firefighters were told that they were providing insufficient water to the fire. They responded by hooking up another hand-held hose.

When the department finishes using the building, all three shifts of firefighters will have had a chance to learn. Extra firefighters are on duty this week so the department does not fall behind on day-to-day duties.

The battalion chiefs will take notes and critique the men's performance.