Practice fire helps new recruits get their feet wet

Gainesville Fire Rescue is conducting a live fire training burn today at a home on the 1700 block of University Avenue. Captain Joseph Hill says this allows their new recruits to get hands-on experience.

Small fire simulations took place this morning, and the large scale simulation will begin at 1:30. Hill says there is a long list of precautions they take when conducting a training like this, beginning with a safety walkthrough.

He says they hold this practice about once every other year, depending on the state of any donated homes and approval needed from various regulating agencies.