The Cedartown Fire and Rescue Department have been performing training exercises in the basement of the Polk County Courthouse No. 2.

The purpose of the on-going training is to ensure that the firefighters are ready for any situation during a fire.

“Everything we do is training. I incorporate training into everything we do because it is so important to our success,” said Battalion Chief Training Officer Steven Manning.

“I have set up the basement in a simulation of a house with different rooms. The firefighters will wear firefighter suits, face masks, oxygen supply and have fire hoses, exactly as if they were in a burning building, searching for a trapped victim. They are taught to stop, look and listen for victims.”

Manning stated he can also change things up, so the firefighters won’t get used to the same layout of furniture or the rooms.

There are other exercises that can be performed as well, Manning explained, for instance, the tunnel exercise where the firefighters learn what to do if the ceiling falls on them in a burning building.

The courthouse basement can be used for other training purposes as well.

The Cedartown Police Department and the county fire department could also use the basement when it’s not in use by the Cedartown Fire and Rescue Department, Manning said.

“I would like to thank Clinton Lester, county manager and the county commissioners for the use of the building. We are very excited about being able to train in this building. Training is vital to our success in order to prepare us for the unexpected,” Manning added.