The 2012/2013 class of Leadership Brownwood took a tour of the Brownwood Fire Department Thursday as part of their government day. The class received an overview of the department and saw firefighting equipment including the suits and gear used by firefighters during different emergencies.
Firefighters wore gear for structure fires, grass fires, rescues, haz-mat calls, and medical calls to show the class. Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright said that around 60% of calls responded to by the fire department are medical related.
The class also saw a demonstration from Fire Marshal Buddy Preston and arson dog Nika.
Nika showed how she can sniff out even small drops of accelerant. Preston said that he uses Nika during fire investigations to help determine if arson is a possible cause. Nika has been on the job since 2010 thanks to a grant from State Farm.
The Leadership Brownwood class also toured Brownwood’s wastewater treatment plant, participated in a mock city council meeting, and toured the Brown County Courthouse on Thursday.
Spanning eight months, Leadership Brownwood is designed to increase individual and community leadership skills. The beginning retreat focuses on individual leadership styles and techniques and gives the participants an opportunity to get to know each other. Starting in the fall, the class then spends one day a month examining specific aspects of the community such as education, area government, local business and economic development, health and human services, the criminal justice system, and tourism.
Participants in the program gain insight to the inner workings of the community as a foundation for their long-term involvement in Brownwood in a variety of leadership roles.
More information is available at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce about the Leadership Brownwood program.
Pictured at top, Fire Chief Del Albright explains the use of each type of gear demonstrated by firefighters in the background – medical, haz-mat, rescue, grass fire, and structure fire.
Picture above, Fire Marshal Buddy Preston and Nika show their skills to the Leadership Brownwood class.
