East Jefferson Fire-Rescue’s live burn tests trainees

Published 12:01 am Sunday, April 22, 2012

PORT TOWNSEND — East Jefferson Fire-Rescue conducted a firefighter training house burn at 10 Sixth St. on Saturday.

They were joined by State Patrol crime lab technicians, who conducted forensics experiments in the house before it was burned to the ground, said Bill Beezley, department spokesman.

Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski said in a statement that the burn was primarily to provide live fire exercises for firefighters.

“We’ll have two areas of concentration: external, defensive firefighting tactics and what we call ‘interface structural protection,’ or protecting structures from surrounding vegetation and foliage fires,” he said.

“Washington State Labor and Industries firefighter safety standards require live fire training annually, and we use these donated houses to fulfill this requirement,” Krysinski added.

Crime lab representatives conducted experiments similar to those in last month’s house burn on Sheridan Street, Beezley said.

They planted evidence before the burn and then combed through the ashes after the fire was out to evaluate residual DNA and other forensic substances on the planted evidence.

In accordance with Olympic Region Clean Air Act demolition requirements, the Port Townsend paper mill, which donated the house, abated it for asbestos prior to making it available for the training burn.

“We appreciate the mill providing us with this training opportunity,” Krysinski said.

“We’re always looking for house donations to keep our firefighters at the top of their game.”