Fire training program set to start today
Starting today, residents in Burbank and Glendale may see smoke emanating from the Verdugo Mountains, officials with the Burbank Fire Department said Wednesday.
The smoke will be part of a fire training program scheduled to run through the end of May, Burbank Battalion Chief Norm Stockton said.
“The Burbank Fire Department will start live fire training utilizing the newly purchased Swede Survival Flashover Training System,” he said.
“The training will take place at the base of the Verdugo Mountains, in protected metal containers, at the Fire Departments Starlight Mesa helispot, which is located adjacent to the Starlight Bowl parking lot.”
Residents should not be alarmed by the training, given the precautions the department will undertake to ensure personnel and resident safety, Stockton said.
“This state-of-the-art training provides safe fire scenarios, flashover phenomena and presents our firefighters with opportunities to observe, recognize and control a flashover fire,” he said.
The department will engage in a variety of exercises, Stockton said.
“Situations will simulate flashover/back draft situations in hotel fires, gasoline stations, high rise buildings as well as house fires. This training will provide our firefighters with a high level of safety and confidence in actual fire situations.”
The program is a joint training effort with the Glendale and Pasadena fire departments and was funded by a grant from the Fireman’s Fund Grant Division.
Residents are still advised to call the fire department should they have questions or worries, Burbank Capt. Ron Bell said.
“There is no hazard to the brush, but because it’s so visible, we’re telling people that if they do see smoke in this one location, we’re probably training that day,” he said.
“If they have any concerns, we still want them to call.”
