NHHS hosts fire training

NEWPORT — On Saturday, Nov. 10, Newport Hospital and Health Services will host a multi-agency live fire training in cooperation with the Newport Fire Department and a numerous local fire districts.

The training, which is set to start at 9 a.m., allows firefighters to train in a real, live fire/search and rescue situation. NHHS purchased the house at 218 N. Fea Ave., in Newport to allow for more parking on the medical campus. Since plans included tearing down the house, hospital administration decided that donating the live fire opportunity would provide invaluable training for local firefighters.

Likely participants include the Newport Fire Department, Newport Police Department, South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue, Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 6, Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 2, Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 4, Kalispel Tribal Fire Department, West Pend Oreille Fire, Pend Oreille Fire District No. 8, Pend Oreille County Fire Academy, and the Newport High School Fire Science program.

The public is encouraged to watch from a designated spectator parking area. A large recruiting effort for the Pend Oreille County Fire Districts is also underway, and volunteer firefighter information will be available at the event.

Pre-work for the live fire/search and rescue training has included removal of working appliances, asbestos abatement completion, and a burn permit request from the Washington State Department of Ecology. In addition, air-ambulance transportation services will be notified in order to avoid complications with patient transport from the Newport Hospital helipad. Travis Williams, NHHS facilities manager, said he has participated in similar events where properties were used for live fire training, and he is confident the agencies involved will make the most of the training opportunity.