Blazing training Holden Fire Department uses local property to train By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com HOLDEN – Anyone travelling on Rt. 1A on March 10 may have noticed things were smoking in Holden near the J.J. Nissen Bakery. The Holden Fire Department held an all-day training on the property that culminated with fire fighters igniting the entire building. The conflagration was a sight to behold, but it serves as more than a mere spectacle to the fire fighters who use such buildings as a valuable training tool. "Obviously this is a huge tool for us," said Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Davis of the Holden Fire Department. "Departments aren't always busy. If we don't train we can get pretty rusty. Training like this gives us a chance to buff up our skills." The land was donated by John Miller, who also donated another training property that the department has similar plans for in a couple of weeks. The fire department inspects all properties to ensure that they can be used for training purposes. The department was able to train at this house over the winter, since the property owner was gracious enough to give them ample time. Davis said that fire fighters were able to practice roll-up drills, search and rescue, second story bailouts and rope rescues in the months preceding this last fire. Also in attendance were Eddington and Orrington Fire Departments, who share mutual aid with Holden. The departments like to share these training opportunities when they come up. The department pre-plans the burns in advance and has a strategy for dealing with everything from how the house should burn to where spectators and media can stand. Davis said that there would be fire fighters throughout the night to keep an eye on the smoldering remains. They plan on burning the next property on March 21.