Close to 60 area firefighters had a chance to use the Ontario Fire Marshal's Mobile Live Fire Training Unit in Englehart for much of the last week of June.
Through sunny weather and rain, volunteer firefighters from throughout the area took the opportunity to practice in the unit that provides a simulated fire setting.
The weather changed during the week from sun and summer warmth to rain and spring weather chilliness.
"When we have an emergency call, it's not a fair-weather emergency. (The rain) just adds another opportunity to what we have to deal with," said Englehart Fire Chief Bill Laurila
Participants had a chance to practice many aspects of firefighting including using their hose line, managing their water supply, their breathing apparatus, and more.
Ontario Fire Marshal instructor Mike Goble of Peterborough was on hand to give firefighters a deeper look at fires and how they behave. Through the use of the unit, they were able to look at fires in a controlled setting, bring some calm into the experience, and discuss and learn more about what they were seeing and experiencing during a fire.
"Inside there it's hostile," said Goble, who noted the temperature, once the simulated fire is started, is about 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
A propane system with water is used to create the simulated fire. Fog machines are also used to add to the feeling of a real fire in which, very often, visibility is lost.
Along with Englehart firefighters, there were also firefighters from Kirkland Lake, Earlton, Harley Township and Elk Lake.
The training trailer is sponsored by the Ontario Fire Marshal.
The Englehart and Area Fire Department applied to have the unit for training in 2024, and also was successful in getting it in 2023.
"You fill out an application and try to get neighbouring fire departments involved in it," said Laurila, noting that there are two mobile training units in the province that travel from community to community.
"Last year was really successful," he said, adding that to have an opportunity to use a unit greatly benefits fire departments by providing experience for the firefighters. Having the opportunity to go through the unit "gives us a high confidence level. If there are green (new) firefighters they're getting used to their breathing apparatus and they're getting used to the heat, no visibility and manoeuvring through tight spaces with a hose line. When facing the real thing they have confidence in their gear."
The travelling units are split between Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario and each get used about 180 days a year.
They were acquired in 2021 for about $850,000 each, and there are plans to add more units to increase opportunities for fire departments in Ontario to train on them.