Pow Wow 2025 focuses on firefighting training

Over 50 area first responders gained valuable training experience during an annual academy hosted by the Chief Shabbona Firefighters’ Association
On Sunday, Sept. 14, firefighters, EMTs, and trainees from more than 14 agencies took part in training designed to heighten their skills and arm them with information on emergency response.
The Chief Shabbona Pow Wow Fire School once again brought attendees through courses from basic firefighting, auto extrication to driving simulator and emergency safety operations at the Constellation Midwest Training Academy near Morris.
Instructors and students from Coal City, Wilmington and Braidwood fire districts joined with those from other departments for the annual training event, which dates back to 1971.
There were 17 instructors who directed recruits and veterans alike on basic firefighting techniques, the operation of pumps, building comprehension and more.
The basic skills training course covered fire safety, fire behavior, use of ladders, hose handling techniques and live fire behavior including a flashover simulator.
Braidwood Fire Board member Charlie Boyd said the fire training academy is unique in that it offers situations that individual departments cannot replicate like the fire flashover and a pump simulator that has all the controls of a regular fire engine.
The basic auto extrication course offered hands-on training of wrecked vehicles. Rescue personnel learned how to size-up, stabilize and extricate a patient trapped in an automobile. The mock drill included a vehicle on its wheels, another on its side and one on its roof.
Emphasis was placed on proper choice, placement and use of equipment including bars and hack saws, electric tools such as nibblers and reciprocal saws, and air powered tools like chisels, impact wrenches, heavy hydraulic tools, stabilizers and lift bags.
The driving simulator was designed for students who are responsible for driving emergency vehicles. They were placed behind the wheel and given scenarios in which they had to make real-time decisions to avoid an accident. Many learned of the difficulties of driving a large tender apparatus.
Under the building comprehension class, firefighters learned about general architecture and features of single and multi-family dwellings, for flats and duplexes, townhouse and apartment structures.
Boyd said participants earned eight hours of continuing education credit.