Latest News – April 27

Training In Session for Fire and First Responders

Leadville and Lake County residents may notice an increase in emergency response activity over the next couple of weeks as firefighters and first responders conducted a variety of training exercises.

BE ADVISED! The Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue in partnership with county and other area agencies will be conducting firefighting training exercise over the next several weeks. Archive Photo: Wayne Thomas.

As spring slowly rolls in, emergency responders across the county are preparing for the upcoming wildfire season.  Firefighters are honing their skills to be prepared for a multitude of possible emergency scenerios.  As a rule, firefighters must participate in one live fire exercise each year to maintain their certification status. 

And so it goes for local responders as preparations are in place to conduct a series of exercises including working with portable water tender vehicles used to fight fires at more remote locations or in residential areas that don’t have access to a life-saving water hydrant.

Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue (LLCFR) has also acquired a structure for training purposes. Leadville Captain and Training Coordinator Sean Simon is planning the live fire exercise for all fire fighters. The crew has received all necessary permits to use a donated building in Lake County for this exercise.  Captain Simon has also received donated materials from True Value to build panels for multiple use and to make the most of the exercise. 

Emergency training exercises scheduled over the next several weeks could present additional emergency activty in the area along Highway 91 north of town at Mountain Valley Estates entrance and the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. Photo: Leadville Today

Starting today, April 27, then on April 29 and May 2 the training sessions will focus on water shuttle operations, drafting from the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) cistern which will set the foundation for the live fire trainings.  Local residents are likely to see emergency training activity along Highway 91 north of town at the entrance to the Mountain Valley Estates mobile home park which provides access to the LMDT. This activity will involve Lake County Road & Bridge, Leadville Street Department, Lake County Sheriff Office, and fire agencies from Chaffee, Salida, and Leadville/Lake County.  All 3 shifts will receive training,

So once crews have been trained in how to access and move the water to fight the fire, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403 will conduct live fire fighting training on May 3, May 5, and May 9 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  While all 3 shifts will receive training, county needs will be covered during these training times should a real emergency occur. 

Additional training throughout May will be held as follows:

• May 11 – 16 –  Ventilation, forcible entry, wall breach, and victim removal training will be held for all shifts. 
• May 18 –  A demo burn will be held for all shifts.

A message board will be in place heading north on Hwy 91 and leaving Leadville as a reminder of the exercise.  Please do not call 911 to report activity related to this exercise.  Check Lake County Office of Emergency Management Facebook Page for updates during the exercise.

Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue is taking an aggressive, pro-active approach to firefighting training with a series of upcoming exercises. Photo: Leadville Today