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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 7, 2003 Local firefighters will train in empty I-5 project sites By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Diversion devices, explosive breaching, chemical agents and "Hollywood smoke" — these are a few of the tools Medford police and fire departments will employ during training exercises this month at abandoned buildings in the north Medford interchange project area. Deputy Police Chief Randy Schoen said his officers are looking forward to practicing forcible entry, hostage negotiations and SWAT tactics with all the tools of the trade necessary at the Carl’s Jr., Denny’s and IHOP buildings across Crater Lake Highway near Biddle Road. The buildings will be demolished this month and next to make room for a major restructuring of the north Medford interchange. "We train all the time, but we don’t often get an opportunity to train using devices that are likely to damage buildings," said Schoen. Schoen said recruiting volunteer victims is not a problem, even for these serious and potentially dangerous exercises. Advertisement Officers, college and university students, Explorer Scouts and Citizen Academy volunteers are all eagerly awaiting their chance to participate, he said. "We always put out signs and safety officers so no one wanders into the scene or feels they need to call 911 to report an incident," said Schoen. Medford Fire Department Training Chief Brian Fish said there may be smoke, but there will not be fire. Fish says the season and location prohibit actual burning. "Live fire is the best training we can get, but if we were to burn, these buildings are in a real bad spot," said Fish. Still, Fish said, he’s looking forward to cutting holes in roofs and practicing mock fire attacks, firefighter rescues and ventilation exercises. Thanks to an agreement between the Oregon Department of Transportation — which currently owns the buildings — and the city of Medford, the two departments will be allowed to use these structures for multi-departmental training. Fish and Schoen expect a quick approval from the Medford City Council on the training projects at today’s council meeting. "We’ve had great support from the council," said Schoen. "The time frame is pretty rapid," said Fish. "We have access to Carl’s Jr. and IHOP from the 1st through the 10th (of August). After that, we have the Denny’s through the end of the month." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times