13STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007

A Hot Day OfficeATTHE

Old house serves as perfect training ground for firefightersA photo essay by RICK WOOD

Captain Joe Noonchester of Stanwood Camano Fire and Rescue inspects the perimeter of a 1920s house located at 27411 102nd Street NW, in Stanwood, donated to the depart-ment by Linda and Evan Wilson for a practice burn Nov. 18.

Firefighters, paramedics and support personnel practice their firefighting skills in realistic conditions.

Firefighters risk being trapped when entering a burning structure. In less than four min-utes, the heat from a house fire can reach over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Paramedic Tony Smith re-moves soot-blackened gear after fighting a room fire.

Firefighter Scott Johnson and Captain Ken Drewry prepare to enter the engulfed struc-ture. Between 1997 and 2006, an average of 3,090 Americans lost their lives annually, and another 15,340 were injured annually as the result of residential structure fires.

Above: firefighters stand back and monitor, while (right) fire escapes from an upstairs window. Training to fight a full-blown house fire is an important part of saving lives.

Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hofstad takes a break in the nook of a conveniently curved tree.