See Flames Shooting Into the Sky? Don't Worry - It's Just a Drill

Ordinarily, seeing flames shooting skyward would be a cause of concern. Next week, however, will be a different story.

Barrow County Emergency Services will host a pressurized container training class Sept. 25-27 behind Winder Fire Station 1. During the drill, firefighters will practice extinguishing a propane tank fire.

"This will have flames shooting into the sky and citizens will be able to see the flames and hear the training for several blocks around," training officer Capt. Bryan Bullock said in a released statement.

The training course, which includes a classroom session this week, covers tactics, behavior of pressurized containers exposed to fire, physical properties of common substances under pressure and control of LP gas fires.

During the live fire portion of the training, six to eight man teams will use fire hoses to control the spread of the fire and lower the chance of explosion. The firefighters will work their way toward the tank and protect one firefighter who will be tasked with stepping up to the tank and shutting off the valve.

“This is a good class and gives the firefighters an opportunity to practice their skills in this type of emergency,” Bullock said. “It is actually an interesting class to watch as well.”

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