The Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association, in conjunction with Lubbock Fire Rescue, held a training session for community leaders.

The event, called “Fire Ops 101” was held Saturday at the Training and Administration Center.

“This is our first time to do this. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said firefighter Michael Park.

The exercise allowed for one-on-one interactions between firefighters and several elected officials, as well as a handful of media members.

Participants included Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope, city council members Latrelle Joy and Steve Massengale, Texas State Senator Charles Perry, state representatives Dustin Burrows and John Frullo, republican nominee for congress Jodey Arrington, and Lubbock Police Assistant Chief Neal Barron.

As part of the experience, participants were assigned roughly 60 pounds of equipment for the day, and were given access to many of the tools LFR uses on a daily basis.

LFR showed the attendees how to crawl in a “house” full of smoke, perform emergency services on a “victim,” and use the fire hoses.

“They truly risk their lives to keep us safe so we’re grateful,” said participant Jodey Arrington.

Another portion of the event included a “live burn” at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training center, where about 100 gallons of diesel fuel was ignited on a mock-up airplane skeleton. Participants rode along with the firefighters who used specialized trucks to extinguish the flames.

“These guys are tough,” Arrington said. “The thing that was the most challenging for me, was going through a smoke-filled house and crawling on the floor and only being able to see the hose on the ground that leads you out. For somebody who’s a little claustrophobic that was awfully scary. These guys do it all the time.”

Park said it was likely as interesting for him, as it was for the participants.

“I hope y’all learned. I got to learn a little bit about what y’all do,” he said.

“They say your perspective changes when you walk a mile in somebody’s shoes,” Arrington added. “I don’t think any of us elected officials participating today could have gone even a quarter of a mile in the boots of these firefighters.”

“They’re tough, they’re courageous, and we got a taste, just a little taste of what these guys have to do every day,” Arrington stated.

The exercise was designed to humanize some of the paperwork and financial figures that are associated with LFR, according to Division Chief Steve Holland.

Holland explained that when the fire department requests funds for certain piece of equipment, the city council and other leaders would understand the importance of approving those funds, because they have spent a day in that same gear.

Each invited participant walked away with a customized souvenir Fire Ops helmet, a smile, and unforgettable memories.

“It was a great experience, a very unique experience,” Arrington said.

“We enjoy what we’re doing and we enjoy the guys that we work with and we enjoy serving the community in that way,” said Park.

The LPFFA said it was hoping to host another similar event in the future.

Watch the accompanying video for more information.