Hundreds of N.C. firefighters train in Wilmington

WILMINGTON -- Hundreds of firefighters from across the state descended upon Wilmington this weekend to learn new skills that will help them save lives. Chapel Hill firefighter Heather Robinson said, "Training's a little tougher because you have to pretend, but there's a reason to hurry." Heather Robinson is one of hundreds of firefighters who trained this weekend at the New Hanover County Firefighters Association seminar. The Chapel Hill rescue worker is training in everything from basic fire skills to more complicated situations. "It's basically how to deal with someone who's been in an accident and how to remove the car from where they are," Robinson said. Extraction skills are just one area of concentration at this seminar. Organizers say car accidents in North Carolina happen frequently, hundreds of which require the Jaws of Life to help save lives. Other skills taught include hooking up and operating the fire hose. It's a simple skill that's vital in their line of work, especially during the summer months. Cumberland County firefighter Jared Masker said, "The dryer it gets with the temperatures increasing, people wanting to go outside, they start increasing towards the beginning and middle part of summer." Organizers of the event say the training sessions are also a great way for firefighters to learn from different departments and soak up some extra skills. "It never hurts to keep training and pick up new things that are happening at the fire service. It also benefits the community. The more and more we train, the more and more we know, which in the end will help us and the community out," Masker said.