PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Green Bay Metro Fire Department is using the most recognizable building in its city to train for high-rise fires.
Not only is Lambeau Field iconic, but it’s also one of the biggest and tallest buildings in Green Bay.
Home to the Green Bay Packers, as well as plenty of other large events, protecting the structure and the people inside it is important, authorities said.
“We talk everything from all the office spaces that we have here, to when really bad things happen, we want them to know our space. We want them to know how to attack issues that may happen in here, and this is just part of that,” said Ben Allen with the Packers’ security team.
This week, the Packers are opening the Lambeau Field doors to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.
“We all know it’s football season and construction season over here, so things change inside of our building on a regular basis — updating the facilities, new faces. So, it’s really familiarizing everybody with this facility,” said Allen.
Fire crews are not only using Lambeau Field as their training ground, but working with the Packers’ staff, too.
Ben Peters with GBMFD said, “That collaboration is extremely important to make sure that we know how they operate, they understand our tactics and operations. It’s good teamwork, and understanding each other’s game plan helps us all be more efficient.”
Since high-rise fires aren’t as common as residential fires in Green Bay, this work is all about running through tactical plans. Crews are checking equipment that is not regularly used in order to be prepared, should an emergency situation arise.
According to Peters, “This training is different because this structure here has different components to it, different obstacles that we have to be prepared for and ready for, compared to your traditional residential building where you know how much hand line will get you into a building. Here, we have to carry high-rise packs up to an additional floor and stretch out to attack that fire.”
Monday was the first of many trainings the fire department is doing this week. They’ve invited other local departments that would also respond to major events to join them.
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