East Peoria Fire Department Train For Safety

PEORIA HEIGHTS--The East Peoria Fire Department trained for fighting fired Tuesday morning.

Fire fighters trained at the Peoria Fire Training Academy to get hands on experience. They lit fires on different floors and began to put them out in different ways.

Assistant Chief Rick Ward gave pointers to the fighters when they successfully put the flames out. "We get a lot of training in the classroom and it's good to hands on training" says Ward. He says mistakes are made in training; which can be corrected before heading into the real thing.

Ward says the training is also focused on how to keep themselves and each other safe when battling fires. Gripping onto each others heels when entering buildings helps them keep up with the team.

Ward says the difference in heat from room to room can sometimes fog your mask up and grabbing onto your partners heel may be the only way to keep in touch.