VICENZA, Italy -- Being a firefighter on a military base in foreign country offers about as many challenges as it sounds like it does. Different language, different regulations and different building codes are just a few things that can cause confusion in an emergency situation.
Firefighters at the Vicenza Fire Department also have to learn how to operate alongside foreign firefighters, in this case the Vigili del Fuoco. Even conducting training between the two groups is a challenge.
But that is about to change, according to Assistant Fire Chief Arthur Doss. The V.F.D. now has a new weapon in bridging the gap between the American and Italian fire departments, and Doss hopes it will help both groups become better firefighters. The "weapon" is a special training complex, made up of two converted Conex boxes. Doss calls it a Mobile Fire-Rescue Trainer, or MoFiRe.
"It's designed to take two fire departments that never trained together to be in sync," said Doss.
The MoFiRe stands over 50 feet tall and 60 feet long, with doors and windows all over the structure. The long side has movable walls so firefighters can practice maneuvering through a maze, while the tall side allows them to practice rappelling and moving between floors. And the entire trainer is designed to be filled with smoke for a realistic experience.
"The ability to utilize it for interior fire search allows us to exercise in a confined space (while practicing) high-angle rescue and low-angle rescue," said Doss. "This will help us get a real sense of heat and smoke and gives us the best chance to exercise our skills."
For Doss, the most important part of the new trainer is that it allows firefighters to train with their Italian counterparts.
"(The Vigili di Fuoco) have never worked with American firefighters," he said. "It's a first for them and a first for us."
But at the end of the day, they all know that they have the same mission; save lives.
"First and foremost, we are firemen. We understand what it takes to be a fireman and that we need to train together," said Doss.
With this new training system, that training will be able to take place right here in Vicenza.
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