By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green firefighters rappelled down the tallest building in Bowling Green today – two weeks before a wrecking ball is scheduled to bring down the structure.
As BGSU loses its Administration Building on Manville Avenue, Bowling Green Fire Division is gaining a lot of training opportunities, according to Fire Chief Bill Moorman.
(Video provided by BG Fire Division)
The fire division will be using the building for a week of training. Because the building is scheduled for demolition, the firefighters don’t have to worry about damaging it during the training, Moorman said.
“This is such a valuable opportunity for our guys,” he said, thanking BGSU officials for allowing the fire division to use the building for a week.
On Tuesday, the firefighters worked in the basement of the administration building, training how to handle machinery entrapments.
“We’ve got a lot of industrial sites in Bowling Green,” so the training was helpful, Moorman said.
(Photo provided by BG Fire Division)
Today, they were on the roof – with firefighters rappelling down the 11-story building.
“It’s higher than our aerial truck. This building is the highest in Bowling Green, so we don’t get much training like this,” the chief said.
The firefighters can be “aggressive” during the training since the building is set for demolition.
When training to attack a high-rise fire on the ninth and tenth floors, using standpipes and the aerial ladder, the firefighters lugged active hoses and didn’t have to worry about leaving inches of water on the floors.
“It makes it more realistic,” Moorman said. “It’s different pulling around an empty hose than one with water in it.”
Using the aerial ladder and a series of ladders, firefighters will train on a ladder maze.
The firefighters will also conduct search and rescue training, and be able to practice forcible entries.
“We don’t often get the opportunity to break down doors,” the chief said.
Victim searches often take place in thick smoke – which the fire division can replicate in the building. “Most of the time it’s zero visibility.”
“We don’t have to worry about the building. This is a once in a career opportunity,” Moorman said.
The chief encouraged the public to watch the exterior training at a distance.
“Come on out and watch from a safe distance,” Moorman said.
