Firefighters from across Richland Parish gathered at the Rayville Fire Department recently for specialized training on combating propanefueled fires.
The training, conducted through the Louisiana Fire & Emergency Training Academy, focused on techniques used to control and extinguish fires involving propane tanks.
Rayville Fire Chief Billy Boren said the department regularly participates in training to ensure firefighters remain prepared for high-risk situations.
“This is something we do on a regular basis to keep our firefighters trained,” Boren said.
Boren explained the technique used in propane fire scenarios calls for firefighters to deploy overlapping hose streams to push flames back from a burning tank until a firefighter can safely access and shut off the valve.
Firefighters from the Rayville, District 8, Archibald-Alto and Holly Ridge fire departments took part in the training session. Firefighters attend the training sessions on a monthly basis, Boren said.
“We’re doing a lot of work to modernize the department,” Boren said. “We have plans in the future to obtain rescue equipment, a new truck and to open a second substation in Rayville.”
The Louisiana Fire & Emergency Training Academy provides in-service training programs for paid and volunteer fire service personnel throughout the state. Training is also offered to industrial fire and safety personnel and other emergency responders.
The academy’s curriculum ranges from basic firefighting skills to advanced technical training in rescue operations, hazardous materials response and fire officer development.
Courses vary in length from three-hour classes to 14-week programs.
