Firefighters train at building donated by local business

GAINESVILLE - It's not unusual for firefighters to have the chance to train in abandoned buildings. But usually, those abandoned buildings are burned. Not the case with a house owned by America's Home Place on Queen City Parkway.

Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada said the house is really too close to other businesses to burn it, but firefighters will learn other skills, such as how to safely enter through the roof of a structure.

"They'll be learning how to do forcible entry into a structure," said Canada, "And learning how to self rescue in case they themselves get into trouble, maybe get disoriented."

Canada said the training won't impede traffic in any way. Still, he advised the public to keep a safe distance, since firefighters will be busy.

"We take our training very seriously. We put our personnel through some rigorous training, especially when we get a structure donated to us like this," commented Canada.

Training exercises will be completed this week. Once training is done, Canada said the building will be demolished.