HIDE & SEEK

HIDE & SEEK — Firefighter Jeremy Bumpus (front) and firefighter/EMT Keith Nance worked together Thursday morning to locate a dummy — simulating a lost and downed firefighter — when the Union City Fire Department conducted downed firefighter training in an area of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City. All three shifts had an opportunity to do the hands-on exercise while suited up in full gear and using an airpack. A plastic piece was fitted inside their face shields to simulate the dark conditions of an actual fire situation since a smoke machine could not be used inside this location. Firefighters teamed up for the scenario as they followed a hose line, maintaining constant communication, to find the dummy — which, dressed in fire gear, weighed 220 pounds — and pull it to safety. UC Fire Chief Karl Ullrich expressed appreciation to hospital leadership and facilities maintenance for allowing use of part of its building, sharing that drills in unfamiliar buildings is “invaluable” training.