AFD prepping to save lives - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

AFD prepping to save lives

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By Stephanie Springer - bio | email
Firefighters had to blindly find a victim trapped somewhere inside of a smoke filled building Firefighters had to blindly find a victim trapped somewhere inside of a smoke filled building

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ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

Firefighters in Albany are working hard to make sure they're prepared to save lives. Albany firefighters are always on the go. When they're not fighting fires or responding to calls, they're practicing and going through rigorous drills to ensure they're ready to handle whatever comes their way. 

"In 19 years, we've done it many times," said Albany firefighter Joey Thompson.  Thompson has been through hundreds of hours of training exercises throughout his 19 year career. "I would hope practice makes perfect but nothing can prepare you for the real thing, I've been there when he doesn't make it and he's laying at your feet and there is nothing that you can do," said Thompson.  

On Monday, the focus was performing search and rescues. Firefighters had to blindly find a victim trapped somewhere inside of a smoke filled building. It is a scenario that a firefighter could be placed in at any moment. In fact, every call they respond to they must first perform a search in case someone is trapped.

"It takes time to condition yourself for it, every structure fire is not the same, every stove fire is not the same and every car wreck is not the same," said Thompson. Those years of training help firefighters gain more confidence in approaching these scenarios.

 "If we train well enough, hopefully we can reduce the damage and save a life," said Thompson. The firefighters have already completed four training drills and we are only a month into 2013 at this rate firefighters are prepared to do what it takes to save lives.

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