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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 22, 2007 Medford firefighters Tim Harvey and Kip Gray crawl down a hallway at the Rogue Valley Manor during training on how to fight large-scale building fires. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) Live-action training preps firefighters for the REAL DEAL Crews fought simulated fires at the Rogue Valley Manor on Wednesday and plan to 'attack' Skyline Plaza today By Megan Shreeve Mail Tribune Dozens of firefighters and numerous fire engines quelled a simulated towering inferno at the Rogue Valley Manor Wednesday, and they'll do the same at the Manor's Skyline Plaza today. They are taking part in a virtual high-rise fire to practice for the real thing. As part of their quarterly training, Jackson and Josephine county fire departments have been practicing all week on multi-story buildings in Medford. "Anything over four stories high is problematic," training Chief Dan Petersen said. Medford has 14 buildings that fit this description. He admits that the frequency of fires in multiple-story buildings is low, but it's a high-risk scenario for the building occupants, firefighters and rescue personnel. Advertisement During Wednesday's simulation, residents in the Manor's 200 apartments poked their heads out of their windows and doors to get a look at the excitement. What they saw was 11 fire companies and nearly 50 firefighters jumping out of their engines, suiting up and strapping on 45-minute oxygen tanks and safety equipment. Firefighters then grabbed hoses and tools to fight the "fire" 10 stories up. In the lobby, another crew worked to control access to the elevators and stairwells, monitored the heating and air conditioning systems, and prepare an equipment staging area for crews running upstairs to fight the virtual fire. Thick hoses lined the 10th story hallway as firefighters crawled through the imaginary smoke and heat. Posted on the walls were reminders of heat intensities at different heights. At approximately 2 feet, the temperature read 200 degrees Fahrenheit, at 5 feet it was 500 degrees, and 8 feet it was 900 to 1,200 degrees. These signs served as a life or death reminder of the importance of keeping low to the ground, because according to Battalion Chief Brian Fish, even with equipment on, standing up could melt a firefighter's helmet. The goal of the simulation is to make it as realistic as possible for the firefighters in training. A Hollywood smoke machine was used to generate smoke in one of the top floor guest rooms of the Manor Wednesday. But the simulation can only go so far in imitating the real thing. Residents were not evacuated and real heat and flames could not be used. The smoke was not quite as life-like as actual fire smoke. It all may seem like overly elaborate, over-the-top training, but it's actually fairly routine. It's just one of four training scenarios the county fire departments conduct each year. Last quarter it was a mass casualty simulation, and the next two quarters will be wildfire and aerial training. The residents appreciated the importance of the drill. "I think it's wonderful," resident Marjorie Swanson said. "I live on the ninth floor, and I think it's great that they're practicing saving people." Sarah Prewitt, Manor public relations director, said the simulation was an excellent opportunity to work with the fire department and for them to become familiar with one of the city's largest and tallest buildings before an actual emergency. Overall, the simulation was a success. "I think we got a chance to test our system and it will help us to evaluate any problems that need working out," Petersen said. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary