HAYDEN — After weeks of intensive training, eight recruits with Northern Lakes Fire Protection District faced trial by fire during a live-burn exercise.

“This is a controlled environment, so we have that security we don’t have in real-life situations,” firefighter Eric Steiger said. “We’ve been spending the last 10 weeks trying to lay the groundwork for their career so when it comes to this day, you apply some heat, you apply a little more stress.” 

The big day also means a better framework to test their understanding of what to do in various scenarios and how to quickly and safely find and rescue people in a real fire. 

“We want to see them keep their head on a swivel, make sure they’re acting with common sense, that they’re able to act on their feet and make decisions quickly,” Steiger said. 

During practice sessions earlier in the training academy, simulated scenarios used smoke machines. If there was an issue with how they set up their gear, they could unclick and breathe freely.  

In a live burn, the new firefighters need to put on layers of gear within 60 seconds of getting the call and ensure they and their fellow recruits are safe.

“There’s a sense of comfort that you just can’t engineer outside these trainings. When it comes to real life, you don’t feel like you have that safety net,” Steiger said. 

Padded with the heavy layers of gear, touch, hearing and visibility are reduced. Crouching inside the burning building with a 60-pound oxygen tank, firefighters need to stay close to the ground to stay out of the heat as it rises, but mobility is reduced. 

Recruit Will Robson wasn’t a stranger to Northern Lakes Fire when he started his training 10 weeks ago. 

“I didn’t really know what I was going to do I was a sophomore in high school. I got linked into some people at Northern Lakes. I started three years ago as a cadet here and they really brought me in under their wing,” Robson said. 

As he’s worked through certifications, he said he felt lucky to find a place he could call home as a firefighter.  

While there aren’t many opportunities for trainees to test themselves under close conditions to the real world, Robson said he knows trainees have to move decisively.

“You still can’t see and you’re in all your gear, so it’s muscle memory,” Robson said.

Even while wearing a firefighter hood, ears feel the heat as the temperature climbs up to 400 degrees.

If firefighters remain still for more than 20 seconds, an alarm blares out their location, adding to the hectic nature of a live fire.  

The recruits use techniques they’ve learned to lever body mechanics and find training dummies and get them out of the fire.

After a long day of putting recruits to the test, Fire Chief Kevin Croffoot said he was pleased with their progress and proud of their dedication. 

Coming from different parts of the country, the recruits stepped up to the challenges and in the process, became part of the family.  

“They did great and after a long 10 weeks of academy these put in some work and they’re going to be set to graduate Saturday,” Croffoot said. 

Brendan Barry said he’s been pursuing the dream of becoming a firefighter for about a year. Training bonded the new recruits and helped them work together.

"I’ve gotten super close with all of them past two months, we’ve been through everything," Barry said.

He hopes to gain a specialty in diving rescue training after he’s done with being a probationary firefighter.  

Barry took an EMT class and wound up stumbling into an unexpected career path. 

“I ended up loving it, so I did the EMT program and then I wound up doing the NIC Fire Academy,” Barry said. “I got super blessed and was fortunate to be picked up here by Northern Lakes.” 

    As new recruits to Northern Lakes Fire, Brendan Barry and Ryan Petronio were among a class of eight who participated in 10 weeks of training to become firefighters. Live burn exercises were the last challenges they faced before graduation on Saturday.

    Firefighter recruit Anne Dunne dons her gear before heading into a live burn Tuesday with Northern Lakes Fire Protection District.

    Northern Lakes Fire recruit Kayden Williams rolls hose after a live burn exercise to be prepared ahead of the next one.

    Belle Lewis and Firefighter Eric Steiger crouch near a fire in a shipping container during a live burn exercise on Tuesday with Northern Lakes Fire Protection District.
  

    Firefighters and recruits take a break after doing several live burn scenarios at their Hayden training facility. Seated: Ryan Rodell and Captain Eric Foti. Standing: instructor Mike Cunningham and recruit Anne Dunne.

    New recruits Brendan Barry, Colton Breda, Anne Dunne, Ryan Petronio, Kayden Willams, Will Robson and Harrison Kiefer greet Chief Kevin Croffoot during a break in live burn exercises Tuesday through Northern Lakes Fire Protection District.