Our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the Fleury family and their friends in the recent passing of Agnes “Katie” Fleury (nee Gleason.) She was the beloved wife of the late Wilbert Fleury.

On Saturday, the Waltham Fire Department attended a unique firefighter training session in . . .

Shawville. Seven Waltham firefighters filled out the roster of students for the day’s training activities. The morning began with a classroom session followed by a trip to a training area just outside the community of Shawville. The private company Formarisk, brought in a large, specially designed, enclosed metal trailer to this training site. The objective of this training was to expose students to the behaviour of fire inside a building. While most firefighters have seen and experienced entering a burning building, few would have taken time to study the behaviour of the fire as it progresses through the building. Firefighters are initially trained to extinguish fire as quickly and effectively as possible. However, this necessary quick action does not allow for a careful study of fire behaviour at different stages.

This training program places the firefighter inside the metal trailer where a fire is started at one end of the trailer. The instructors open and close vent doors to create different conditions for the firefighters who are equipped with their bunker suits and breathing apparatus.

After almost five hours of training, the students were happy to call it a day. The learning experience was excellent and serves to advance the knowledge concerning the fine points of fire behaviour inside a burning building.

Birthday wishes are extended to Phil Perry who is celebrating his birthday on Nov. 19. I hope it is a good one Phil.

Birthday wishes and lots of love is extended to our grandson Alexander who is celebrating his 17th birthday on Nov. 21. Alex, we hope that your special day is awesome and that you have a great year. Lots of love from Nana, Poppa, Auntie Rhonda, Uncle Mark, Jacob and Bella.