If you’ve spent time down on the waterfront at Terminal 1 recently, you may have noticed firefighters in full gear working in, on and around the former Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. Those firefighters are recruits in the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) who received hands-on training through a partnership with the Port of Vancouver USA.

The VFD has been training new recruits at the former hotel since it closed in October 2015. Training in a commercial facility provides desirable, realistic practice in search and rescue, zero-visibility searches and firefighter survival.

When VFD Capt. Nick Lazzaretto heard the hotel was being repurposed, he reached out to the port’s Security Manager, Richard Troudt. Troudt brought the port’s Safety, Risk and Emergency Manager, Scott Ouchi, into the conversation and together they developed an extended agreement to provide training for local recruits.

“This is a huge opportunity for us and a great partnership,” said Capt. Lazzaretto.

The VFD already trains recruits and firefighters on search-and-rescue techniques using its four-story brick training tower. But after so many runs through the tower, familiarity sets in. When a different building becomes available, a new training landscape unfolds. That’s why anytime a building is being demolished or repurposed, VFD looks for the opportunity to partner with the owners to prepare their recruits for real-life situations—often to the benefit of the partnering organization.

“Emergencies can, and have, happened in places we’ve trained in,” said VFD Capt. Eric Giacchino.

VFD recruits trained in the former Red Lion’s north wing, which was demolished this March to make way for a new hotel at the port’s waterfront development. Training continues in the still-standing south wing, and recruits have had the chance to take part in window-rescue training and hot-air and smoke-ventilation training.

This unique structure has also provided opportunities for destructive training, where damage is inflicted on the building, such as forcing doors and walls—skills that are often used in life-saving operations. However, VFD is always looking for opportunities where they can practice non-destructive training, including search and rescue.

Partnering with VFD has been a great experience for the Port of Vancouver, as well.

“It was never really a question for us,” said Ouchi. “It helps the fire department, the port and the community.”

You can help make our community safer! If you know of a building that is being repurposed or vacated, consider contacting VFD’s training division at (360) 487-7205 to learn more and volunteer a building to help train firefighters in our community.

The former Red Lion hotel closed in October 2015 and is the site of a future hotel being planned by the port’s developer, Vesta Hospitality.