By TR Robertson
If you were driving in the Historic Vista area recently, you may have noticed a smoky smell in the area and thought there was a fire somewhere. Don’t worry, there were several fires going on, but they were all completely under control. The fires were set intentionally as part of a Live Fire Training series of exercises involving the former abandoned New Community Church and fire personnel from Vista, San Marcos, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, and North County Fire. All 6 fire stations in Vista rotated their personnel through the drills. Well over 300 fire personnel took part in the training exercises at various times Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. A total of 8 drills were held at 165 Eucalyptus using various rooms in the former New Community Church. Only a portion of one of the church’s buildings was used, with rooms specifically prepared for the instruction and evaluation of the fire personnel. In the parking lot, multiple fire engines, trucks, and ambulances from several fire departments could be seen.
Vista Battalion Chief Miles Sweeney took some time between training sessions to go over details of the Live Fire Training Session and explain why these drills were so important. He explained that the joint training sessions brought fire personnel from different cities together because, at times, they were involved in fire incidents in which they worked together, and this training provided a chance to evaluate and educate their responses to fire issues. He also said that this training helped build relationships between the different departments. Chief Sweeney also pointed out that the proximity of different fire stations allowed fire stations from other cities to respond, when needed, to fires in the closest proximity of a fire station, regardless of what city the fire station was located in. He pointed out that the Live Fire Training sessions had the goals of evaluating the fire personnel in fire control and attack, search, ventilation, emergency medical services, and command.
The Chief took us on a tour of several of the rooms that had been used earlier in the day for drills. He explained that a number of instructors were used for both interior and exterior drills as well as thermal image cameras. The drills took place on the building’s two floors. The rooms had been prepared prior to the drills by adding drywall and by installing specially designed wooden structures filled with alfalfa to provide a quick-burning fire. The building had also undergone an extensive clean-out to remove items that might cause the fire to get out of control and endanger the structure. Chief Sweeney said the teams used a Positive Pressure Attack in responding to the fires. He said they used all aspects of firefighting, including not only entering the building from the ground but also using fire engines to reach the roof and balcony. This also includes rescuing victims using a dummy for the drill. After each drill, the fire personnel involved gathered outside the building to debrief and evaluate their handling of the attack on the fire and all aspects surrounding it. Chief Sweeney also said that all homes and businesses had been notified about the Live Fire Training and that messages had been posted on Instagram. The fire departments conduct a variety of drills and training sessions throughout the year to ensure they are prepared for any response needed in each city.
