In preparation of the anticipated very busy 2015 wildland firefighting season, the Turlock Fire Department hosted live fire wildland firefighting training sessions Thursday, Friday and today.

The training sessions involved personnel from many surrounding fire departments located throughout Stanislaus and Merced counties, Merced CalFire, the Turlock Airport and the Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services.

This type of live fire training offers realistic training scenarios that are beneficial to the fire crews. It also offers the benefit of training with other fire agencies and builds strong partnerships in the region. Frequently firefighting crews from throughout this region are dispatched to fight fires or mitigate other emergencies. These joint training exercises will allow the firefighters to improve communications, better understand the strategies, tactics, capabilities and limitations of their partner agencies.

All of the training sessions were conducted at the Turlock Airport.