Firefighters hone search and rescue skills
Hoffman Estates firefighters have been sharpening their skills over the last month using the mazes at Laser Quest.
The dark caverns of the laser tag center at 860 N. Roselle Road have provided the backdrop for search and rescue training sessions. The firefighters begin with a 30-minute class. Then crews proceed to the maze which is enshrouded in fog, leaving zero visibility. This simulates smoke in a real fire emergency.
Firefighters need to locate practice dummies used as victims in the dark, and bring them to a safety spot in the maze during an allotted time period. Some crews would also use thermal imaging cameras to practice. There are nine session scheduled for February, thanks to the folks at Laser Quest.
Hoffman Estates firefighters practice search and rescue drills earlier this month at Laser Quest, going through mazes to remove practice dummies masquerading as victims
Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
This is the scene from a thermal imaging camera, showing Hoffman Estates firefighters performing search and rescue drills at Laser Quest.
Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
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