In Oak Creek there is a series of tunnels above ground designed to train future firefighters through mock emergencies. Emergencies include the rescue of those trapped under rubble and, perhaps, rendered immobile due to injury.

Injuries can be caused by falls or cave-ins in the part of an impaired drainage tunnel. Fires underground are also simulated for critical rescue of those trapped, suffering from smoke inhalation.

The series of tunnels safely contain situations such as crushed pipes from gas main explosions, which mimic escape without aid as impossible.

Fire Science Instructor Sam Lenda describes simulation exercises as very intensive and fatiguing. “Student firefighters will have to go through different areas, pulling mannequins out of would-be life-threatening situations.”

This also means a 40-pound jack would need to be pushed inch-by-inch in rescue operations, to pry away damaged huge steel or plastic tubing.

The first day student experience within the tunnels may be maze-like with pipes going everywhere and nowhere at once. Claustrophobia can make mock rescue operations uncomfortable.

If a person is brave but untrained in rescue operations, he or she may be the one in need of rescue from the tunnels used by our Fire Science Department.

The simulation-rescue tunnels in Oak Creek are in their second year of highly formidable development. Much of the material used in construction has been donated by independent contractors and WE Energies.