Southington Firefighter Training Intentionally Goes Up In Flames

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Two Southington town officials joined Southington Fire Department firefighters last week to experience what no firefighter wants to experience ... a backdraft or flashover.

The SFD, along with firefighters from several area towns, joined together for multiple days of training and preparations to deal with a potentially dangerous firefighting scenario.

And bravely joining SFD firefighters in simulating attacks against flashovers were Southington Assistant Town Manager Alex Ricciardone and new Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky, who probably expected a baptism by fire ... but not literally.

According to the SFD, the training took place over three days in town with the help of Flash Fire Industries, a company that works with fire departments and offers a mobile trailer that can simulate backdrafts/flashovers.

Such flashover fires occur quickly when burning materials are suddenly oxygenated, creating a massive fireball that can be deadly to fire victims and firefighters.

It's the main reason why people are urged to not, simply, open a door in a burning building, because the door opening could release oxygen into the fire and create an inferno.

Ron Howard's 1991 drama "Backdraft," starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin and Robert De Niro, brought the dangers of such fire phenomenon to the big screen.

At last week's training, more than 50 firefighters took part in various drills on flashovers, an initiative funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Firefighters from other departments — such as Meriden, New Britain, Middletown, Wallingford and Hamden — also participated.

"This training allows our members to recognize the deadly indicators of flashover when operating at a structure fire," wrote Southington Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2033 over the weekend.

"Quick application of water and compartmentalization of the fire room is crucial to keeping our members safer and ensuring all occupants get out.

"This class stressed the importance of proper staffing to ensure fire-ground tasks like suppression, search and rescue, and extension prevention are completed in a timely manner."

To watch footage of the flashover training, visit the Southington Fire Department's Facebook page at this link.