Training works to improve fire protection score

The Fannin County Fire Department’s burn building, constructed of used shipping containers, offers firefighters real world experience at battling a fire. Various scenarios can be created inside the building for students to overcome.

Fannin County firefighters Jim Edelstein and Brett Craine enter the burn building as they prepare to battle a fire that has just been lit inside.

Training hours play a big part in an ISO rating. Here, two Fannin County firefighters work to maneuver a hose into the department’s burn building as part of a real life scenario. Smoke can be seen rising from inside the building.

Fannin County Fire Department Training Chief Michael Cornelius, second from left, briefs a group of firefighters as they prepare for training in the department’s burn building, which is located behind Station #1 in Blue Ridge. Shown with Cornelius are, from left, Jim Edelstein, Brett Craine, Mike Miller, Hunter Patterson and Courtney Craine. The training took place last Saturday evening, July 27.

Channing Johnstone instructs Hailey Galloway on operating a fire engine’s pumps and what to watch for on pressure gauges as part of Saturday’s training exercise.