09/24/2026
This past weekend, members of the Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department had the opportunity to train in an acquired structure on Welcome Valley Road, generously provided by New Hope Church.
Acquired structures provide an invaluable training environment for our firefighters. Every building presents different layouts, construction features, access challenges, and obstacles. Training in these environments allows our members to work through realistic problems, build confidence, and practice skills in conditions that closely resemble what we may encounter during an actual emergency.
Firefighters spent the morning rotating through stations focused on search and rescue through a window, hoseline movement and advancement, vertical ventilation, and rescuing a firefighter from a roof. In the afternoon, crews brought those skills together during full-paced exercises that challenged firefighters to communicate, make decisions, and work as a team in a realistic environment.
Opportunities like this would not be possible without the support of our community and regional partners. We are extremely thankful to New Hope Christian Church for allowing us to use the property, our community partners who provided materials and resources to make the training possible, and the Roanoke FireEMS Department, Fire-EMS Training Division for providing a smoke machine that allowed us to create realistic, low-visibility conditions throughout the exercises.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this training possible. Your support directly contributes to the training, preparedness, and safety of our firefighters and the community we serve.
