Firefighters from Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Nampa, and Star are getting ready for the real thing by simulating a fire on an upper floor of a building.
Crews entered the building through a window and use thermal imaging cameras to search for survivors. Firefighters say multi-story apartment buildings with a center hall are becoming more and more common in the Treasure Valley and they can present challenges with rescuing people and putting fires out.
"So that's what we're practicing now, practicing on getting our guys the techniques they need in order to get to those upper floors as fast as they can to perform a rescue," said Division Chief Nick Landry with Eagle Fire Department.
There are things you can do if you find yourself trapped by a fire. Closing a door can buy you and the firefighters time before it's too late by keeping the flames and the harmful smoke out.
"If you can close that door that's going to buy you at least fifteen or twenty minutes of survival time for us to get there an help you," said Division Chief Kevin Fedrizzi with Meridian Fire Department.
With the busiest time of year for home fires fast approaching, firefighters are asking the public to check their smoke detectors, be safe with electric heaters and not overload power strips. Firefighters are also urging residents to come up with an escape plan and have a safe place to meet in case of an emergency.
"It helps the fire department for when we arrive on the scene to know how many people are in the structure and still are there and it's very important for people not to reenter the structure for pets or other family members," explained Landry.
