BUCKHANNON -- The Fire Training Center at Jackson's Mill purchased the mobile fire training unit just over two years ago. The mobile unit lets firemen get actual hands on training, without putting them in harm's way.

Firefighters in Upshur County spent most of Saturday and Sunday using the mobile center. The training center is part of W-V-U's Fire Service Extension. It allows the firemen to practice without the risk of an actual burning building.

"We had the option of getting a fixed burn building or a mobile center and this allows us to come into communities like Buckhannon and it lets them work with their equipment," said Fire Service Extension Director Murrey Loflin, "just like they would with an actual structure fire."

Even though the fire is real, the dangers during the training are minimal. Someone stays in the control room during each evolution to make sure the each training goes as safely as possible. They monitor the temperature, control the fires, the smoke conditions, and the heat conditions.

The person working in the control can see everything that's going on inside, and as far as training goes officials say the mobile unit is excellent.

"This mobile trailer is as close as we can get to a live burn without actually burning a house," says Lt. J. B. Kimble, "and it's mobile so it comes to us."

Whether they've been with the department for years, or simply months, the firemen agree.

"I feel like I've learned more in the last couple days than I have in the past few months," says Robie Messenger, "because I've had more hands on eperience, instead of just helping our the regular crew."

The Fire Academy at Jackson's Mill will be having its annual Jr. Fire Fighter Camp on June 27th.