Fire practice deemed vital

Rinse and repeat isn’t so easy for firefighters. That’s why last Saturday’s practice burn was so essential to training.

Belgium, Fredonia, Port Washington, Cedar Grove and Random Lake fire departments participated in the burn of a house at 7165 Sauk Trail Rd. in the Town of Belgium.

Belgium Fire Chief Dan Birenbaum said eight controlled burns in different rooms were held before the old house was left to burn to the ground.

“We all had good practice,” Birenbaum said.

The Belgium department had been planning the event since January.

He said several departments and SWAT teams used the house for search-and-rescue practice and other tasks for more than two years since John Rassel donated it.

“They come very few and far between,” Birenbaum said