Live Fire Training – Conducting NFPA 1403-Compliant Live Burn Training in Acquired Structures

By Greg Fisher

For decades, the fire service has sanctioned behavior that has endangered the lives of many when it comes to live fire training in acquired structures. I have been involved in live fire training since the late 1970s and, unfortunately, have been party to some of those behaviors, but I have learned from the mistakes. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, did not exist at the time; and, fortunately, none of those evolutions resulted in the injury or death of a firefighter. We read in fire service publications of firefighters being injured or killed while participating in live fire training in buildings that were never designed for burning. Often, these drills lack preparation in being compliant with NFPA standards and are taught by instructors with the "paper" but little experience. Far too early in the evolutions, someone in charge calls it a good day once the helmet gets dirty while everyone else does the hard work protecting the exposures, picking up hose, and cleaning up the mess.

On the other hand, we see departments with the training, experience, and resources to perform live burns in an acquired structure, but they choose not to because of the potential push back from "bean counters" and politicians, the required administrative work, the potential liability, and the planning and preparation—or they just bought a DVD that shows how to fight fire.