Bardstown Fire Department was on Nazareth Campus this week for a fire training exercise in which they simulated rescues at Nazareth Village I and Village II. Assistant Chief Todd Spalding said the multi-day training was beneficial to the department as well as to Nazareth Villages.
The firefighters received hands-on experience in victim search and rescue for a multi-story building while also looking for any weaknesses or needs in fire safety for the housing complexes, which are a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
“It allows them to apply their skills in a non-emergency situation,” Spalding said of the firefighters, adding they could safely make mistakes, learn from them and build upon what they learned to improve their performance for real-life emergencies.
On Thursday morning, fire trucks were parked in the front and rear of Nazareth Village I as firefighters donned their gear and rushed into the building. “Smoke” made from water vapor billowed from a window of an empty apartment being used for the exercise and filled the third-floor hallway for a short time, decreasing visibility for the trainees. The sight had some onlookers questioning if there was a real emergency, and while everyone was safe, the authenticity of the situation was important. Firefighters will face many obstacles in a real emergency and they must be prepared to handle them.
The fire department and Nazareth Villages have teamed up for similar training in the past, providing educational opportunities to firefighters and ensuring the safety of Nazareth residents. Such collaborations are just another way the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth serve the local community and beyond.
So glad the training was a success. Congratulations to all who participated in this important exercise.