Eastern Idaho firefighters hold training academy

Did you notice more firefighters around town Saturday? That’s because firefighters from across Eastern Idaho held training sessions all over Idaho Falls.

The eighth annual Eastern Idaho Fire Academy trains over 150 local firefighters.

These men and women receive hands-on emergency services training classes and the opportunity to practice a variety of exercises and scenarios.

Fire officials stress the importance of this annual training to help firefighters better protect residents and their property when disasters happen.

Many believe this academy is one of the yearly highlights for firefighters in Southeast Idaho.

“You get to experience with other departments that they do the same jobs, but they may use different techniques,” said Keith Banda, Ammon Fire Marshall. “…and some of those techniques are very important and you can use them at home, where you were doing it different before.”

Around 35 paid and volunteer fire departments send personnel to this annual event.