Burning Down the House – Fire Training in Tennessee HAMILTON COUNTY, TENN – Saturday, March 24, 2007 – For the second time in a week, an agency in the Chattanooga Valley has burned down a house for training purposes.  This time, the Hamilton County Emergency Services Fire Training conducted exercises at 10517 Dallas Hollow Road in the Soddy Daisy area.   Twenty five area firefighter cadets gathered together today for an integral part of their training.  The training exercises completed today were all required by the state of Tennessee for firefighter certification as Firefighter I and II.  These 25 men and women represent 8 different agencies throughout the area.   •        Dallas Bay VFD •        East Ridge Fire Department •        Soddy Daisy Fire Department •        Walden’s Ridge Emergency Services •        Signal Mountain Fire Department •        Volunteer State Rescue •        Kimball Volunteer Fire Department •        Lone Oak Fire Department. Beginning at 8:00 AM, these 25 cadets completed training in Search and Rescue Techniques, Rapid Intervention Team, Water Supply, Fire Extinguishment, Interior and Defensive Fire Attacks, and Fire Ground Safety Procedures.  When the various scenarios were complete it was time to burn the house.   Once all essential gear was moved a safe distance away, the fire was set and the house burned.  Various hose lines were placed strategically around the house to prevent any fire from spreading into trees, the wood line or to other structures nearby.  Safety of those involved and of the surrounding area was a key ingredient during the entire training exercise. The owner of the home stated that the house had belonged to her grandmother.  She said that she hoped allowing the firefighters to use the house for training purposes would help to save someone’s life in the future.  She also stated she felt it was a great way to honor her grandmother.   A special thanks to Amy Maxwell, PIO for Hamilton County Emergency Services for inviting me to be present.