The Fulton Fire Department issued an invitation Tuesday night to Fulton City Council members to spend a few hours in their shoes.
On May 4, the fire department and Fulton Professional Firefighters Local 2945 will host Fire Ops 101 for city leaders, giving them the opportunity to participate in mock training exercises such as a search and rescue operation, instruction in how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) such as the one recently donated to the city by the Callaway Ambulance District and vehicle extrication.
"I think it will be a good time. We'll have you put on full bunker gear ... and see what we go through," FFD Engineer Todd Gray told the council. "We'll have firefighters there at all times to make sure you're safe and you're doing it safely."
Gray noted that participating council members will have the opportunity to use a number of the department's tools, including the Jaws of Life, axes, saws and hoses. He said Glove Con is allowing the department to use a house scheduled to be torn down later this year to be used for the training exercises as well.
"This will give you a little more respect for the equipment and might help the chief when he's talking about what we need - you'll understand what it is he's asking for, he won't be talking in a foreign language," Gray said.