Firefighters to train Saturday on battling blazes in big buildings

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department is undergoing training for handling fire operations in large buildings, including mid- and high-rises in their response area, according to a news release from Michelle Hahn, spokeswoman for the city of Cape Girardeau.

The training will be from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Towers complex at Southeast Missouri State University.

The East County Fire Protection District, the Jackson, Gordonville and Scott City fire departments, Cape County Private Ambulance and representatives from Southeast will also attend the training.

Battalion chief Mike Ramsey said that following the training, each platoon in the department would conduct a large-area building practical scenario at the Show Me Center.

"Our goal is to improve our capabilities at these types of incidents along with increasing interdepartmental training."