May 27 2015: Kitchener Professional Firefighters and the Kitchener Fire Department invited the Kitchener mayor, city councilors, deputy police chief, and members of local media to participate in Fire Ops 101 at the Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Center (WRESTRC) in Waterloo, Ontario. The center is used by Region of Waterloo firefighters and Regional Police for training. The University of Waterloo has a large building on-site for doing live-fire research. Each of the participants was involved in four scenarios; extinguish a live fire, search and rescue in a building with theatrical smoke, auto extrication, and a med call involving CPR.

Box 690 provided rehab for the day, while Kitchener firefighters provided a BBQ chicken lunch. At the end of the day all participants were given a personalized helmet. For more info on WRESTRC go to http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/safehealthycommunity/training.asp

Gary Dinkel

Box 690

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Kitchener’s reserve P8. Gary Dinkel photo

Participants responded lights and siren, picked up hydrant, and pulled lines to enter fire building with assistance of Kitchener firefighters. Gary Dinkel photo

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic center took in more heat than planned! Gary Dinkel photo

Kitchener Fire Chief Jon Rehill presents Lyndsay Morrison with her helmet and certificate. Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Kitchener spare rescue. Gary Dinkel photo

Live fire was conducted on the first floor of the training building on right. Red building at rear is University of Waterloo’s live fire research center. Gary Dinkel photo

CTV reporter Lyndsay Morison is briefed on search and rescue scenario. Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo