Firefighters to train in house fire simulations in Shoreline

By Melanie Granfors, PIO
Shoreline Fire Department

Shoreline Firefighters will be operating in “training mode” when they set controlled fires in an abandoned house near Aurora Ave N and 188th St N during the next week.

The donated house, at 18833 Midvale Ave N, will be the site of multiple training exercises that will be available to all four shifts of Shoreline firefighters. It is possible that smoke from the training fires may be visible to those who travel along Aurora Ave N or who live and work nearby. The house is located north of the new Sky Nursery parking lot, along the walking trail.

Fire and EMS crews from Bothell and Northshore Fire will be participating as well, to simulate the mutual responses that occur with structure fires in all three communities. There will be numerous fire apparatus and vehicles in the surrounding neighborhood during the drills.

The live fire training will include the use of new thermal imaging technology, ventilation, fire attack and fire behavior.

“As with anything we do in the community, we would like this exercise to draw attention to the need for fire prevention and safety efforts for every family,” says Shoreline Fire Marshal Mark Bunje. “House fires are tragic. Hopefully understanding how we prepare to fight them, will engage the public in our ongoing efforts to prevent them. It is the perfect time to remind residents to have working smoke alarms throughout their homes, and to practice their family escape plan – THIS WEEK!”

A Shoreline Fire department officer will be on scene to answer questions or provide information to residents who are interested in seeing how this type of training exercise works. The area is not easily accessible by vehicle; however the public is welcome to watch portions of the drill if they are in the area – which is just north of Sky Nursery’s new main parking lot.

The drills will be held between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm on February 26, 27, and March 2 and 3.