Raytown Fire conducts search training

Raytown Fire Protection District

Press Release

Raytown Fire uses the former Crawford’s Jeep dealership to conduct search and rescue training.

If you are driving on US 350 highway on March 28-30 and you see smoke coming from the former shop area of the Crawford’s Jeep dealership, don’t be alarmed.  The Raytown Fire Protection District received a grant from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety to conduct three days of search and rescue training.  The training is being conducted by Real World Firefighting LLC, and will focus on the utilization of the thermal imaging cameras for the rescue of an incapacitated firefighter.  While the training is specific to searching for a firefighter who has become incapacitated, the techniques learned apply to any type of search and rescue regardless of the victim.

This class was developed after Chief John Tvedten of KCFD was killed in a warehouse fire in December of 1999.

Training is eight hours each day, 2 in the classroom and 6 on site.

Non-toxic theater smoke is being utilized for this training.

Curriculum reinforces the importance of teamwork and communication.

Both Raytown Fire engines are equipped with modern thermal imaging cameras, which were purchased with a federal grant in 2007.  These cameras were updated in 2011.

 “We were fortunate that the Missouri Division of Fire Safety had the funding to enable this training and that Chrysler Group Realty LLC was willing to allow us use of their vacant building,” said Fire Marshal Matt Mace. 

“ We conduct this training to provide firefighters with another tool that may help them save one of their own someday”.  Charlie Cashen Real World Firefighting LLC.