Bullard firefighter Kyle Norris, who was leading the training exercise, ignites a fire inside an abandoned structure that firefighters extinguished. During the exercise, Firefighters had to train in darkened rooms filled with smoke. (Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul Kyle Norris deliberatly started a fire in a structure.

No, he is not an arsonist, but a firefighter, who was charged with recently training several volunteer firefighters from area departments.

“There are more injuries in training that in actual fires,” said Norris, a Bullard firefighter.

So, safety was paramount during the training exercise. Firefighters were taught to enter a stucture laden with smoke. Teamwork was essential for the safety of each firefighter.

“Our objective is to expose them to live fire behavoir,” said Bullard Daytime Supervisor, Justin Walker. “It’s for those who haven’t had that experience so that they will know their limitations.”

Bullard and area firefighters took part in training exercises at an abandoned house south of Bullard. At right, Kyle Norris demonstraits a thermal imaging camera; Talitha Parham (bottom, right) hauls a hose from the smoke-filled room. (Banner Staff Photos by Don Treul The training structure was a donated abandoned house south of Bullard. Norris started and re-started fires inside while other firefighters changed the ventilation. At times, one or more doors were open or a window provided the only ventilation.

The result was a changed environment to battle smoke and flames.

Firefighters have several tools to help them battle fires, including special hoses and nozzles, hooks, special uniforms, thermal imaging cameras (TICS) and more.

The BVFD has two TICS at a cost of about $6,000 apiece.

BVFD firefighters who were involved in the training exercise in addition to Norris and Walker included BVFD Chief Keith Newburn, BVFD Capt. Richard Smith and firefighters Talitha Parham, Patrick Newburn, Christopher Brown, Gregg Dahms, Jonathan Fallwell and Aaron Well.

More training is slated, including an exercise Saturday, April 24. Following classroom work, firefighters will practice driving the vehicles.