Volunteers train to stay sharp

By Clara Aucoin
Gilpin County News Senior Writer

Knowing they need to keep themselves trained in order to serve the community, the Colorado Sierra Volunteer Fire Department braved the cold and wind for a practice burn last weekend.

As part of that training, the Fire Department torched a stock tank full of water and fuel.  The fire, fueled with gasoline and diesel fuel, floated atop the water, fighting the weapons the firemen threw at it.  Colored bright orange, yellow, red, bits of flames danced their own dance when they were forced about by the fuels and the winds.  When hit with chemicals, the hot target erupted into ominous black smoke that billowed for 50 feet into the air.

The exercise was under the direction of CSVFD Chief Ryan Roberts who had educated the group prior to the exercise.  He said there were four styles of fire extinguishers, straight water, CO2, which does not pollute, Halon, which was not used because it is an ozone depleter, and a dry chemical extinguisher.  He cautioned the group to remember to PASS – Pull pin, aim, squeeze, and sweep the extinguisher across the area of the base of the fire.  The firefighters warn that if the extinguishers hit the top of the flames, all that will happen is the fire will spread.

Also, even if you think you have completely extinguished the fire, always call 911 to have the fire department respond to make sure the fire is completely out.  The firefighters warn that embers may lurk and reignite with a few minutes.  Finally, if homeowners do not get IMMEDIATE knockdown with a fire extinguisher, the fire department says to, “Get out of the house and call the fire department immediately.”

He told the group that this time of the year most fires are the result of ashes from wood stoves which some folks persist in putting in paper bags or cardboard boxes, thinking the fire has been extinguished.  All it takes is for one little ember to nestle itself among the paper fuel, grow, spread, and erupt into a fire that will destroy a home and all its contents.  This time of the year, Christmas trees are another common source of fires.

  CeCe Miller, Volunteer Fire Fighter for CSVFD, says that if people place hot ashes in a metal container, it must have a tight fitting lid, and don’t put it on the deck, put it on a noncombustible surface like the snow, dirt, or concrete, and well away from a combustible surface (like the side of the house).