New Bedford Elected Officials Undergo Firefighter Training

Invited guests got a first hand look at what it's like to be a firefighter during an exercise in Fall River on Sunday.

Officials from Fall River and New Bedford took part in the event, dubbed Fire Ops 101, including New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell who traded in his suit and tie for firefighter gear.

Mitchell said taking part in this event gives him a first hand understanding of the equipment and personnel needs faced by the city's bravest.

"We live in a time of tight budgets and although fires have been declining very rapidly over the last 40 years we still live in a city where there are risks of fires," said Mitchell "especially in our older housing stock that do need a certain staffing level, do need a certain equipment level that we want to maintain."

City Council President Linda Morad also took part and said she found the experience overwhelming at times.

"I was panicking a little bit," said Morad "because my senses couldn't see bit i could feel the heat on my face and on my neck...it's awful i don't know how these guys do that.

New Bedford Fire Chief Michael Gomes said that he hopes exercise like this give public officials a better understanding of why it's so important to have a fully staffed fire department.

"It's not big, fancy fire trucks that put out fires, it's the fact that you have to have the manpower in order to advance that line up three flights of stairs, get close to the fire, because it can't be done remotely," said Gomes "it's got to be done up close and personal and that takes personnel, it takes man power to accomplish those goals."

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia also participated in the event.