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KC area fire departments undergo ‘survival training' in Raytown

Posted at 1:31 PM, Dec 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-13 18:04:39-05

RAYTOWN, Mo. -- Multiple fire departments have been conducting dramatic firefighter survival training in a donated warehouse in Raytown. 

The training is called “save yourself.” Firefighters are put through several different training stations where they brush up on skills they hopefully don’t have to use. 

"If you do get trapped in a room by a fire, you want to have a set of skills that will get you out, because if you don't have it, you'll never need it again," said Battalion Chief Ty Helphrey with the Raytown Fire Department.  

The U.S. Fire Administration said annually 100 firefighters die in the line of duty. 

On Wednesday, dozens of firefighters went through training. In the last month, more than 350 firefighters on both sides of the state line have completed the training. 

"As long as people are learning and refreshing skills and learning news kills, then we need to keep doing this," said Helphrey. 

"Anytime I can put my gear on and get my tools out and use them it's just that much more effective and safer on the fire ground," said Captain Ron High with the Grandview Fire Department. 

Raytown Fire along with Kansas City Fire, CJCFPD, Shawnee Fire, Smithville Fire, Lee's Summit Fire, Riverside Fire, Grandview Fire crews are all participating. 

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