When it comes to emergency services most firefighters and EMTs will tell you co-workers are like family. It's that strong relationship that comes in handy when tested on a real-life fire situation. Recently some new volunteer firefighters with the Lincoln Fire Protection District were put to the test in a situation like that and learned some important lessons not only about trust but safety. On Saturday there was a live burn training for the firefighters. Usually they get to train in a man made training facilities with concrete or steel. Assistant Chief Pat Goodwin says they try at least once or twice a year to get a structure so it's live fire training. He says it's a real structure. He says it's real fire and it's fantastic training for the firefighters. And training is exactly what beginners need in order to stay safe while walking through flames in an uncontrolled fire. Goodwin says they're trying to get the rookies and a lot of people that need new experience and they're trying to get them in with the experienced firefighters to give them hands on training so they will know what it's like to go in a real fire. One of Lincoln fire's newest volunteers is Logan Ratliff. He grew up around emergency services and is the son of a fire chief, still he needs training so he can follow in his father's footsteps. Today's training was Ratliff's first time walking in a room of flames. His dad wasn't there with him on this day but Rocky Reynolds was standing by watching the rookie's back. Rockey Reynolds says, "Today was unique because it was his first time ever being in a live fire and he got to put everything together and he got to see the whole operation together and ran how it was suppose too. Because when you pull up on a fire it never goes as planned you kind of have to run with it. Here he gets to see how it's set up." Ratliff says working along side the experienced firefighters he feels safe because to him they're family and they're great role models. "So we walked up and instantly you can't see a thing. It's just smoke all in your face. Then you see this bright light then you just get on your knees and spray the fire down and then the crew checks for more fire. Then you just wait. It was really cool you know it is something you've never seen before. It's like the fire has a mind of its own." said Ratliff. Reynolds says he did great with it and if next time he is in a real fire in somebody's resident and it's a true emergency he will be able to experience it again and maybe not catch him off guard and he's more comfortable in the environment."
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