Burn to learn: C.O. rookies get busy fighting fire

Firefighters normally put out fires — not start them. But nothing beats a burning house for realistic training in life-or-death situations, and a donated house on Tumalo Reservoir Road was set blaze several times for Wednesday’s drill, often referred to as “Burn to Learn.”

Three engine crews from Bend Fire, one from Sisters and one from Black Butte Ranch participated in the structure fire training.

Bend Fire Capt. Darren Root said it took three weeks of preparation to prepare for the exercise.

Starting at 9 a.m., a series of burns was set, resembling different scenarios.

“They’re putting everything they’ve been taught together and show their instructor they’re competent and know what they’re doing,” Root said.

There were three groups of three, with a captain leader going into scenarios with them.

“There’s plenty of supervision. We burn a very small part of the building,” Root said.

Each burn led up to the grand finale, where the entire house was completely engulfed in flames.

At that point, the rookies are told not to put the fire out, but rather contain it from burning nearby trees or structures, and otherwise to simply watch it burn.

“So they can watch how the building is consumed and have that mental picture, so when they’re out on the street and on an actual fire, their commanding officer’s orders make sense to them,” Root said.

Nolan McGinnis, who joined Bend Fire about two months ago after three years with Lane Fire Authority, said he has done “burn to learn” exercises before, and he’s focused and ready to learn more.

“Any time you go into a building with active flame — yeah, there’s a little bit of jitters,” he said.

McGinnis said he hoped to walk away with as much experience and information as he could this day, “so when the real thing comes- I don’t have any questions.”

The rookies have a couple more weeks left at the academy — then it’s graduation.