Hooks & Hoses: Striking a Balance Between Safety and Realism in Live Fire Training

In this episode of Hooks & Hoses, host Eric Dreiman delves into the complexities of live fire training, sharing lessons from his extensive experience across acquired structures and fixed facilities. He emphasizes the critical balance between adhering to NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, and providing firefighters with realistic, effective training that prepares them for the unpredictable nature of real fires. Dreiman discusses the value of the crawl-walk-run approach in building confidence and skills, the challenges of controlling burn conditions using door management and burn packages, and the limitations of various training props, including gas-fired simulators and flashover chambers. He stresses how overly intense heat can hinder learning and create dangerous “training scars,” while too-safe scenarios risk fostering a false sense of security.