The purpose of the Live Burn portion of the examination process is to ensure that the Firefighters understand and can apply the skills that they have learned in the classroom to a realistic scenario. This examination is held at the Wolcott Fire School. The Firefighters are required to shut off a Propane leak that is on fire, do either an above grade or below grade fire attack, and rescue scenarios. With the exception of the propane fire, all the other fires are made with pallets and hay. Upon completing this step of the training, the firefighters are permitted to take the practical skills test, and upon successful completion of that, they may sit for the written exam. When they pass all three of these steps they are certified to the Level of Firefighter II.

	Deputy Chief Dawes lights the Propane "Christmas Tree" on fire for the first evolution.
	Under the guidance of Deputy Chief Dawes, Middlebury Firefighter Boisits, Dayton and Kasidas approach the fire to provide water protection while the valves are shut. Chief Perrotti mans the "Deadman's Switch" to operate the prop.

Firefighter Dayton begins to move into position to shut down the valves while the others provide protection with the hose.
A view of the fire on the first floor of the Burn Building.

	Following one of the evolutions, Watertown and Middlebury Firefighters discuss how the evolution went.
	The class uses some down time to talk.

Middlebury Firefighters exit the Burn Building having saved the bundle of hose used to simulate a victim, as Woodbury Firefighters feed line in to the interior attack crews.
In the sequel to the Circus, we present "Fully Involved Burgers on the Grill II," featuring Grillmaster (and Junior Firefighter) Nick Santos.

	Firefighter Bunnell waits by Engine 6's pump for the next evolution to begin.
	Woodbury Firefighters advance a hoseline into the burn building while Chief Perrotti looks in.

Chief Perrotti standing at the command post planning the next evolution.

Photos by Junior Firefighter Nick Santos, and Firefighter Dave Bunnell, Story by Firefighter Jon Vaughan - Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department - All Rights Reserved.