Firefighters to train at old Vancouver Clinic

Clark County Fire & Rescue will hold several training exercises at the former Vancouver Clinic site throughout this weekend and next week.

Vancouver Clinic has donated the 8,000-square-foot medical office on Main Street where it previously operated. The clinic opened in its new location Monday.

In the next few days, residents may hear simulated gunfire and explosions and see smoke.

The following exercises are planned:

• Today, firefighters, police officers and members of the regional bomb squad will participate in a simulated mass casualty incident with an “active shooter.” The emergency operations center will be set up at the Battle Ground Police Department.

• On Nov. 9, six separate fires will be lit in the building so firefighters can practice locating multiple blazes in a structure.

• On Nov. 12, firefighters and the Clark County Fire Marshall’s Office will hold live fire demonstrations to illustrate the importance of fire sprinklers in businesses and residences.

• On Nov. 13 the live fire training will begin at 8 a.m. The training will likely continue until the building has burned to the ground, likely by 4 or 5 p.m. The sidewalk and one lane of eastbound Main Street will be closed during the exercise for safety reasons.