Civilians get first-hand firefighting experience in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Eager civilians got a little taste of what it's like to be a Fresno-area firefighter on Saturday. And they weren't watching from the sidelines, they were actually taken inside a building for live-fire training and moved through extremely tight spaces.

It's everything you would have to do as a firefighter. They also got a tour of Station 3, saw how they extricate people from car accidents and other physically demanding tasks.

"It's not an easy job," Hector Vasquez with the Fresno Fire Department said. "Right now they've gone through one or two rotations and they're already fatigued and it's good for them to get that first-hand experience to see what we do."

The demonstration is an annual event open to the public. You just have to sign up to take part.