02/28/2026
This past week, between emergency responses, members of Local 4023 (Groups 1 & 2) took part in specialized SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) confidence training.
To simulate the conditions firefighters face inside burning buildings, members wore “blackout lenses” over their facepieces, creating zero-visibility environments similar to heavy smoke. Working without being able to see, they relied entirely on touch, training, and their knowledge of their equipment to identify and correct simulated issues with their air packs and other essential tools.
In a real fire, visibility is often limited or completely gone. This type of hands-on training ensures our firefighters remain calm, confident, and capable of solving problems quickly in environments that are Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH).
Training like this happens regularly to ensure we are always prepared to serve our community safely and effectively.
If you’d like to learn more about our training, daily operations, or have suggestions for what you’d like to see us share, please let us know in the comments
