The Fire Operations 101 burn trailer houses a simulated vertical ventilation and direct attack of a fire in a 400 degree plus room with live flame. The flame is fueled by propane. The direct attack uses hoses to put water directly on the flames. Vertical ventilation invloves cutting through a roof or ceiling to alleviate pressure buildup within the structure. It gives heat, smoke, and gasses a chance to escape the structure increasing survival times and providing additional minutes for evacuation and rescue.  

Fire Ops 101 goal is to educate policy makers about what firefighters face on the job by letting them get 'up close and personal' with the heat, sweat, and smoke. With this first hand experience lawmakers can make more informed decisions about issues related to fire protection and firefighter training and apprenticeship. 

California legislators are prepped and then taken through the Fire Ops 101.

Fire Operations 101 (Image by: Phil Kemp) Proper preparation and equipment are essential for the safety of firefighters (and legislators)

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell pulls on firefighters pants and boots (Image by: Phil Kemp)

Image by: Phil Kemp

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell dons the firefighters suit.

Image by: Phil Kemp

A ladder climb to the roof where the firefighters wil be ready for the vertical ventilation demonstration.

Image by: Phil Kemp

Firefighters await on the roof of Fire Ops 101 for the Assemblymember

Image by: Phil Kemp

Tools are used to open up a hole for the vertical ventilation. Here a simple pick is shown. Portable power tools including a chain saw are also employed to make the ventilation as effective as possible. Assemblymember Mitchell demonstrates.

Image by: Phil Kemp

Image by: Phil Kemp

A short climb down and the vertical ventilation demonstration is complete.

Image by: Phil Kemp

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is the next legislator to 'feel the heat' He will be prepped to go through the Fire Ops 101 flame direct attack at a temperature of approximately 400 degrees. Image by: Phil Kemp .

Image by: Phil Kemp Getting ready with the live hose

Image by: Phil Kemp

In he goes.

Image by: Phil Kemp

Image by: Phil Kemp

Flames from the floor combined with smoke and the room frame causes dangerous sheets of fire to move throughtout the room. Swirling smoke can also be seen below the roof/ceiling in these photographs. Image by: Phil Kemp

Image by: Phil Kemp

Finished with the direct flame attack the legislators exit Fire Ops 101 into the fresh air. Image by: Phil Kemp Several legislators were able to take advantage of Fire Ops 101 demonstration, and all of them seemed relieved to be finshed with the experience.

Image by: Phil Kemp Image by: Phil Kemp Image by: Phil Kemp Image by: Phil Kemp