State Firefighters Convention Held in Green Bay
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The KI Convention Center is being taken over by some of Wisconsin's finest this weekend. Video by nbc26.com
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GREEN BAY - The KI Convention Center is being taken over by some of Wisconsin's finest this weekend.
The State Firefighters Association is holding its annual convention, highlighting some of the challenges facing the ever-changing industry.
"It's one of the few opportunities throughout the year to engage with our customers," said Wade Kirvida with Custom Fire, one of the vendors at the convention. As an industry insider, he says it's clear a firefighter's job description is changing.
"It's not all about fighting fire and going to a big raging barn fire anymore -- it's become car accidents, obviously.. recreational accidents," he said.
The weekend event features a number of classes and seminars through the National Fire Academy.
"It's keeping up on the new techniques of firefighting -- how to be safe," said Larry Plumer, president of the Wisconsin Firefighters Association.
The convention is being attended by close to 400 firefighters from 84 different departments throughout the state. Organizers say they're hoping the firefighters will take the training they receive, and use it to better serve their communities.
"The community looks for the fire department to be a leader -- anything that happens, we're called. And we enjoy it," said Plumer.
The public is encouraged to stop by the KI Convention Center on Saturday to check out the state's largest display of new firetrucks free of charge.
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