Owensboro firefighters conduct outdoor training amid summer heat wave

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — While many are choosing to stay indoors to avoid the summer heat wave, the Owensboro Fire Department has a different thought. For the past several weeks, firefighters have been conducting rope access training courses.

“We train for that difficult run, sometimes we even train for the ridiculous,” says Firefighter-Paramedic Al Wathen. “But if I can train them for the hardest thing I can think of… then the hardest thing out in the real world should be easy for them to manipulate.”

In the 90 degree weather, the training involves firefighters pairing up to replicate a real-world rope rescue. They start in a smaller course in an OFD garage before taking to the multi-story fire tower.

Wathen conducts the course to help his team navigate the ups and downs of a rope rescue. Last month, a semi-truck in Louisville went over an overpass in a fiery crash. He says the training includes similar techniques used in that rescue.

“We practiced for those scenarios,” said Wathen We don’t always have access to get on the bridge and practice those kinds of scenarios but what we try to do is mimic those tough situations.”

Wathen says trainings also serve as an opportunity to make mistakes and even encourages it because of the controlled environment. Jacob Bugay is a firefighter new to the course who has had his fair share of mistakes while learning on the job.

“I got stuck on one of these ropes right here,” said Bugay. “It was the end of the day and I was exhausted. I had to get this out and got stuck so they had to come rescue me.”

At the end of the day, both Wathen and Bugay say the training is grueling but necessary, as they should be prepared for anything.