Mount Ayr Fire Department holds training
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By IVY BICE
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department and Diagonal Volunteer Fire Department participated in specialized flashover trailer training Saturday, Oct. 17, to help firefighters recognize dangerous fire conditions and prepare for real-life emergencies.
The training began with a three-hour classroom session at the Mount Ayr Fire Hall before participants traveled to the American Legion, where the training trailer was parked. Other departments were invited to attend, but only the Diagonal department joined Mount Ayr for the training.
Flashover occurs when heat causes combustible materials and gases in a room to ignite rapidly, resulting in an intense fire that can become life-threatening within seconds. During the training, firefighters observed how flames spread through smoke as wood burned inside the trailer. As conditions approached a potential flashover, an instructor demonstrated how applying water could cool the room and slow the fire’s development.
One of the main lessons was recognizing the warning signs of an impending flashover and understanding how quickly firefighters may need to escape. The classroom session also covered techniques for cooling a room using different water spray patterns. Research has shown that a straight stream can cool certain fire conditions more effectively than a fog pattern, depending on how and where the water is applied.
This type of training is especially important in rural communities, where firefighters may have to travel several miles to reach a fire. By the time they arrive, a fire that began as a smaller incident may have spread throughout a building.
Firefighters must understand the conditions they are entering because they may be walking directly into a dangerous situation, according to Mount Ayr Fire Chief Ed Rotert.
“By the time we get to a burning house, what started out as a stove on fire, has now developed into a structure fire and we have to go into that building and attack that fire,” Rotert said.
The training also helped firefighters practice recognizing smoke patterns and learning how water can be used to cool a room, including from outside a window. A fog pattern produces smaller water droplets that vaporize quickly, while a straight stream allows water to strike surfaces and spread. Understanding how these techniques affect fire conditions helps firefighters make decisions when responding to actual emergencies.
At the American Legion, participants completed three burns. The firefighters were divided into two groups, with both groups participating in the exercises. Those who wanted another opportunity to experience the training could participate in the third burn.
The Mount Ayr Fire Department aims to participate in three to five training sessions each year. In 2026, the department participated in burn trailer training, flashover trailer training and surface ice rescue training.
While burn trailer training helps firefighters recognize where a fire is coming from by identifying the glow, flashover trailer training allows them to observe flames and smoke as conditions intensify and practice responding under an instructor’s guidance.
“It’s a very awesome experience,” Rotert said.
Rotert said the department works to stay up to date with new technology and training methods whenever possible. He also encouraged community members to share new ideas that could help firefighters improve their skills.
The department’s next training will most likely take place in January and focus on surface ice rescue. Mount Ayr, Red Oak and Corning take turns hosting training for the dive team.
