Gaston Rural Fire District

The door springs open and you're met with a wall of flames.

Most of us would turn and run away. But not firefighters. Firefighters just go right in.

They don't in without a lot of practice, however, which is why the state of Oregon has a mobile training unit to simulate a structure fire.

Recently Gaston Fire had its turn with the inferno on wheels.

Led by Lieutenant Clay Davis, teams of two took turns attacking a variety of structure fire scenarios.

Although the simulator has many safety features, each team faced unpredictable hazards. Operators inside the trailer could control the intensity of each scenario. Sometimes just when a team thought it had the blaze beaten, it would suddenly flare up again, just as it might in a real fire.

The intense training is required by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, but for Gaston's firefighters, the drill actually was fun.

Already sweltering from being suited up on a 90-degree day, they lined up eagerly for their chance to enter the trailer, which was hot enough that it could have doubled as a pizza oven.

So if you do encounter a fire, follow your instincts and stay out of the building. You can rest assured that the volunteers of Gaston Fire are ready and more than willing to go in for you.