By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Fire Department is in the process of redoing their training facility at Fire Station #2 on west 10th Street. Fire Chief Brent Smith said one of the larger changes is adding a second level to their burn building, where staff can practice putting out different fire scenarios. Purchasing shipping containers, there will be moveable walls inside to change the layout.
"It was small enough that as soon as you went in the door, you could see in every room," said Smith. "It won't be hard, because staff will get to know the new layout too, but when you can move walls around, I think it will give them the opportunity to do some different things. I think they're excited about it."
Smith said the GBFD has been fully staffed for the past year. Division Chief Rick Robison retired in February after serving in Great Bend for 35 years, and the department received two applicants to fill his vacancy.
With younger staff onboard, Smith said the burn building is invaluable.
"We don't see fire today like I saw when I started, but it's a different kind of fire," said Smith. "We had stuff that burned, but the smoke was not as bad as what smoke is today. Things don't burn as easy as they used to but they're more toxic."
Smith noted there are college training courses for individuals interested in becoming a firefighter, but the most important thing to do is obtain your Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) certification.