Houses scheduled for demolition are occasionally offered to the Department to give firefighters a hands-on opportunity to train in a realistic environment.

For several days prior to a house burn, firefighters practice:

• Forcible entry with minimal damage.
• Search-and-rescue techniques for injured or trapped civilians or firefighters (using artificial, non-toxic smoke to obscure vision).
• Bail-out techniques in the event of structural collapse (firefighter survival).
• Ventilation strategies to remove heat and toxic gasses from a structure. Methods include cutting holes in the roof or walls, and placing a large fan to replace the smoke with clean air.

Once a house is ablaze, firefighters:

• Study different patterns, nozzle pressures, and hose sizes to determine the most efficient combination to extinguish fires.
• Predict fire behavior by watching its growth and movement.
• Interpret images on Thermal Imaging Cameras.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of firefighter protective equipment, including their self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Practice escape techniques for trapped firefighters.

Firefighter training is extensive and on-going. Live fire burns translate the intellectual to the physical, real world.

Not all structures, however, conform to fire-training requirements. Proximity to other structures and vegetation, prior use of the property, accessibility of fire engines and aid units, and current air quality are all evaluated.

Once a building is deemed suitable and scheduled for training, the officer-in-charge completes an extensive checklist that assigns pre-burn tasks to both the property owner and the Department. Among other documentation, the homeowner must provide proof of clear title, certification of asbestos abatement, and a Puget Sound Clear Air Agency demolition permit. To ensure safety and lessen the toxic impact, firefighters’ work includes checking chimney and porch stability and removal of flooring, roofing, highly-combustible materials, and inside and outside debris.

A press release is published and letters are sent to neighbors to inform them of the upcoming event and what they can expect.

For more information, see the Burn Checklist or contact the Edmonds Fire Department at 425-771-0215.