What's Happening in Green Bay, WI…

The Burn Tower, a firefighter training center operating at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay, opened in time to be seen during National Fire Prevention Week. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 9.

Both experienced and new firefighters will receive training at the center, with more experienced firefighters taking continuing education, while new firefighters receive more basic education. The center offers a number of practical areas for training, such as two search and rescue mazes, three burn rooms, and simulators to mimic collapsing floors.

The building overall is 4,000 square feet and four stories. It also contains the only basement assault room in the region. This training facility is designed to hold blinding smoke and reach 800°F, which experts say is as challenging to navigate as a real fire.

Training centers and educational centers often use newsletter printing and other techniques to communicate with students and community partners. This helps to keep those nearby appraised of what the center is doing, as well as opportunities to visit and volunteer.

President of NWTC Jeff Rahn told reporters that trainees can use various techniques in the training center. These include ladder trucks, climbing, repelling, and rescuing people from balconies. By simulating a variety of experiences in training, they give firefighters the best chance of performing well in real fires.