Firefighters learn 'Two in, two out'

REESHA BROWN

PORT NECHES - Ascending 100 feet into the air with nothing but a ladder to guide them and heavy weight on their backs to drag them down, Port Neches firefighters spent the day Wednesday training for the time when a real blaze calls for their attention.

Before the city’s firefighters can rescue residents from a hazardous fire, they must go through a series of training courses lasting until December.

Sponsored by Lamar Institute of Technology’s Fire Academy, part of the training entailed 21 Port Neches firefighters escalating up the 100-foot ladder of an aerial truck.

“This is parts of the skills they must exemplify during the training course,” Doug Saunders, LIT Regional Fire Academy captain, said. “These are the things they will encounter as a firefighter.”

According to Port Neches Fire Chief Stephen Curran, the firefighters will have ample opportunity to institute what they learned in the 16-week training session. Last year there were 1,520 fires, not including the other 911 calls the city received.

Even though the amount of fires in the area is high, the number of spaces to fill during recruitment is limited.

“It’s really competitive,” Curran said. “If they can’t perform they’re weeded out of the training and they don’t get certified.”

Dorian Johnson, trainee, said climbing a few tall ladders and several daily obstacles does not rattle his cage.

Part of the training session consists of trainees entering a simulated house fire blindfolded with a partner. Their objective is to save the home’s occupant, replicating what it would be like to go through a burning house.

“If you’ve never put on a mask before, you will find out if you’re claustrophobic or not,” Johnson said.

It is the job of all firefighters to make sure no man is left behind.

“Two in, two out, that’s what we live by,” Johnson said.

The tall ladders and simulated pitch-black rescue missions are not the most challenging experiences.

“I’d say the most challenging part of the training is staying in shape,” Johnson said.

Although being a firefighter has many benefits, Johnson said the most rewarding part is knowing he has done something good for the community.

“What other job can you do to serve the community and get paid for it,” Johnson said.

rbrown@panews.com

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