Bixby Fire Department Conducts Training To Prepare Firefighters For Wildfire Response

The recent wildfires across Oklahoma are putting a renewed focus on firefighter training.

The Bixby Fire Department is doing wildland training this week that gives its firefighters hands-on experience controlling a grassfire.

Matt Kirk is leading the training. He has been a firefighter in the department for a decade.

“Being able to know what is going on and have an idea before we even get out there is the purpose of this training,” Kirk said. “That way, we know that no matter who is on duty they know what they are supposed to do and can do it in a timely and efficient manner."

Kirk said the goal is to familiarize the new recruits with equipment used to battle wildfires like brush trucks, hand rakes and chainsaws. He said firefighters will use these tools to scrape away vegetation to create a fire line that slows the spread.

Kirk said oftentimes grassfires spark in heavily forested areas that vehicles cannot get to, so they may need to control the fire without using water.

"The weather has a lot to do with it," he continued saying, "Hard winds, fast-moving flames can get out ahead of us to where we have to build these control lines around structures to protect them, in case we cannot actually put the fire out itself."

Wildfires are often caused by human activity. You can find preparedness tips by Clicking Here.