Recruits Face Real Fire for First Time | Columbus News

Columbus News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 6, 2026 · 1m

Columbus fire recruits just got a brutal, real-world bootcamp—literally. After nearly a year of training, they stormed a vacant wood-frame building in a live-fire drill that mimicked actual structure fires with temperatures over 1,000 degrees. No simulators here—just smoke, heat, and the pressure of saving lives. Recruits like James Proctor called it “awesome,” praising how the real structure forced them to think fast, work as a team, and execute every role flawlessly—or face serious consequences. This rare, high-stakes experience is their final prep before graduation next Friday—and it’s…