WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Firefighters participate in International Fire & EMS Safety Standown week
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One drill simulates a firefighter running out of air.The loss of nine firefighters in Charleston, South Carolina comes as fire departments all across the country undergo additional safety training, including in our community. It's part of International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down week.
Roanoke County firefighters take this week's training very seriously. For example, one drill simulates as if a firefighter is running out of air. Wax paper is used to simulate looking through smoke.
These tragedies are a reminder to local firefighters of the potential dangers that come with the job.
"I think that hits home to me is that would be this whole fire station in the morning. We have eight guys here. That's one more than this whole Station 17. All of us going to fire and none of us coming home," said Jonathon Wacek of Roanoke County Fire & Rescue.
