Firefighters have been battling a blaze on Orion Street all week, but that’s not a bad thing.

A live burn simulator trailer provided by the Alabama Fire College is in Troy this week and firefighters from all over Pike County were invited to take turns honing their skills.

“When they first go in, the trailer is completely smoke-filled,” said Troy Fire Chief Thomas Outlaw.

The simulator allows for heat build up where temperatures reach about 500 degrees. There are also regulated flames inside the structure.

“It’s very realistic and keeps the guys up on their skills,” Outlaw said.

While inside the simulator, firefighters work on rescue techniques, extinguish fire and learn how to deal with smoke and heat as obstacles. They even experience flashovers.

Since Troy doesn’t have a training facility like many large towns do, Outlaw said the free opportunity provided by the Fire College is a great one.

“Many of the volunteer firefighters don’t go to as many calls as we do and this ,” Outlaw said. “And it’s good cross-training for us to work with them.”

The Troy Fire Department has 33 firefighters who respond to calls and each of them will go through the simulator twice. Outlaw said he tries to have the simulator visit the area at least two times a year.