Helicopter fire simulator used to train sailors at CFB Halifax

DND and the Royal Canadian Navy conducted nighttime firefighting training.

As firefighters risk their lives across the country, a few are training at home to fight fires at sea.

Members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Department of Defence took part in lifesaving, nighttime firefighter training in the Halifax area Thursday.

“We are practicing on a trainer that kind of simulates a helicopter crashing on a flight deck of one of our ships that we have at sea,” said Petty Officer David Ward.

The trainer is a controlled system that’s part of the damage control division at CFB Halifax, Ward said. There is a helicopter onsite that trainers ignite using propane jets that bubble up through a water bath.

“We’re trained to quickly respond,” he said. “Our first priority is to get those casualties out.”

Ward said rescues require aggressive firefighting techniques to push the fire back and get air crew out as fast as possible before extinguishing the fire and eliminating hazards.

“The helicopters can carry torpedoes, machine guns, whatnot. We have to disarm those.”

Ward said the training was developed in the air force and carried over to the navy. He said they train officers from every ship in the fleet at the facility.

Sailor 1st Class David Fitzpatrick said the training was a great experience for learning new skills and firefighting positions.

“It’s a good challenge of course, mentally and physically,” Fitzpatrick said. “Especially with the hot temperatures we’ve been having here in July.”

Family and friends were given the opportunity to attend Thursday’s training simulation. Fitzpatrick said it was nice to show loved ones what they do.

Sailor 1st Class Van Allen was commanding the trainees in the field. He said his team’s performance was excellent.

“What I’m looking for from my guys out there is one, knowledge… The other thing is aggression,” Allen said. “You’ve got to be aggressive attacking the fire. The fire fights back.”

Allen said the goal is to build muscle memory and camaraderie. Ward said the teams build plenty of both during the month-long course.

“Some of them don’t know each other but they’ll know each other for the rest of their career,” Ward said.

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