LA Firefighters Use Abandoned Hospital to Train

Fire and smoke billowed from the former St. Joseph Hospital in Thibodaux this week, but don't be alarmed.

It's just a drill.

Through Sunday, the 500-member department is conducting live fire training operations at the old hospital at 690 E. First St.

About 30 members are participating in the exercises that include roof operations, forcible entry, fire streams and battling live fires in a controlled environment.

"This week we're doing different scenarios like roof ventilation, search and rescue, confined spaces and fighting live fires," Thibodaux Fire Board President Ron Bourgeois said. "These trainers are from a company called On Scene Training Associates. We hired them to come in and train us. These guys are professional firefighters from around the country."

In addition to the training at the old hospital this week, Thibodaux is also hosting 100 firefighters from around the nation for the "Burnin on Da Bayou" conference at Nicholls State University.

Guest speakers include cartoonist Paul Combs and Bayou Cane Fire Chief Ken Himel.

"Over the weekend we'll be conducting additional live fire drills at the hospital," Bourgeois said. "It's really great facility to use. Our guys are learning a lot. I've been in the fire department for 31 years, but just listening to their instruction I'm learning new things. You can't get enough training."

Rouses Markets, which owns the former hospital, allowed the department to use the building for training purposes, Bourgeois said.

In addition to gaining new skills, the training also helps the department maintain a solid rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana, Bourgeois said.

The association ranks departments every five years on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best, based on factors such as response times, training, equipment and station locations. A better rating can mean lower insurance premiums for homeowners.

Instructor John Simpson said the old hospital has a lot of potential for ambitious training exercises.

"With facilities like this we can do a lot more," he said. "We've got instructors from Florida, Boston and New Jersey. We're not here to change the Thibodaux Fire Department. We're here to give them tools to make their jobs better and safer."

———

©2019 The Houma Courier, La.

Visit The Houma Courier, La. at www.houmatoday.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.