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Exercise Exposed to Flames

Fire Chiefs at the Power Plant of Paks consistently aim at ensuring that fire fighters train and exercise under realistic circumstances. It’s, of course, not an easy job to do given the scarcity of resources available. One of the few ones is the fire training container Fire Dragon with flashover simulation that the Power Plant has already seen in several versions. These days truck-mounted Fire Dragon III came to help the preparation of fire fighters of the Power Plant and several dozens more knights of flame not only from fire departments near Paks but from Budapest, as well, thanks to the exemplary interdepartmental co-operation of fire fighters.

The fire training container is partitioned into three fire rooms with six fire seats including flashover simulation, mounting a really exciting and serious challenge on fire fighters. In training executive József Tóbi’s view, the fire simulation container provides outstanding opportunities for the operative units to practise and undergo preparation for real-life fire operations under realistic circumstances. They can learn various tactical elements by practising, train themselves in the use of personal protective equipment and breathing apparatuses, as well as improve the means and methods of co-operation and communication in emergency. There is a smoke generator installed inside the container, and the internal temperature can be as high as 200 to 300 °C at a height of 1 metre and 500 °C on top of the rooms. No doubt, those fighting fire in there, getting this way first-hand experience, would work more cautiously and circumspectly when it comes to real-life operations. This is to guarantee that fire fighters undergoing such a drill will become more efficient and reliable in operations to fight real fires.

In my capacity as a reporter of Paksi Hírnök, I had an opportunity – I first considered it nothing but a stroke of fate – to try personally the fire training container, making a real trial of my courage. What I only knew about that drill for sure then was that it’s going to be hot, nothing else. According to the description of the container, the first ordeal is by staircase fire. In my opinion, the very first one is to put on the protective clothing and equipment. The breathing apparatus weighs 12 kg, the protective clothing 8 to 10 only. Realising the fact that a tiny slit in my clothes, letting flames or the extinguishing water already grown as hot as fire in, would be sufficient to get roasted alive was, however, a burden lying just as heavily on my mind as the equipment on my back. Once in there surrounded by frightful flames, I was quick to realize that fire fighters risk their lives every time when they’re out on mission. And this is not in the least a banality as next day’s news confirmed: three fire fighters in their 20s died in a Budapest fire.

Tünde Vida - Paksi Hírnök, 15th issue 2006