Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2006 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.

LANCASTER, Pa. — Firemen training as rescuers for trapped crew members have lined up a building in Columbia that can be demolished Sunday.

Participants from Lancaster and York counties need the experience to complete rapid intervention team training hosted by the State Fire Academy.

The building at North Second and Bridge street was donated by David Doolittle, a developer, fire chief Scott K Ryno of Columbia No 1 Fire Department said.

Starting Saturday, about 30 participants will attend 16 hours of instruction on "saving their brother and sister firefighters who may get in trouble ... at a fire scene," Ryno said.

The drills inside the house are scheduled Sunday at 2 p.m. Ryno said the drill will involve use of fake smoke.

Columbia will sponsor an advanced version of the intervention team training at the end of September and beginning of October.

Ryno said Columbia's 35 active volunteer firefighters respond to 500 incidents per year, and the department logs 2,000 hours training in addition to fund raising efforts.

For more information, visit the station at 137 S. Front St., call 684-5100