I photographed a live burn during a training exercise for the new recruit class at Gwinnett County Fire Headquarters in Dacula for the Dacula Patch newspaper on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 25 firefighter recruits got their first chance to experience a live fire during their 16 week certification course. The burn gave the recruits a chance to use all of the skills they have learned to this point. These are my favorite images.
Gwinnett County firefighters stoke the fire on the bottom level of the burn building during training at fire headquarters in Dacula on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 25 recruits faced their first live fire during the 16 week training course.
Gwinnett County fire recruits Joe Pagan, right, Justin McCarty and Corey Dale put on their gear before entering the burn building at fire headquarters in Dacula during a live burn training exxercise on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
One of 25 Gwinnett County fire recruits carries the nozzle of the fire line towards the burn building at fire headquarters in Dacula during a live fire training exercise on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Gwinnett County fire recruits set up a ladder as they prepare to make entry into the burn building at fire headquarters in Dacula during a live fire training exercise on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Gwinnett County fire recruits enter the burn building at fire headquarters in Dacula during a live burn training exercise on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 25 recruits are undergoing a 16 week course to become certified.
Gwinnett County firefighter recruits make entry into the second story of the burn building at fire headquarters in Dacula during a live fire training exercise for the new recruit class on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Gwinnett County firefighter Phillip Wright mans the pumps on one of the engines during a live fire training exercise for 25 new recruits at fire headquarters in Dacula on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Firefighters climb out the second story of the burn building at Gwinnett County Fire Headquarters in Dacula during a live burn on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 25 new recruits are undergoing a 16 week course to become certified.
Titus Pugh, right, helps Ben Pierce with his gear after participating in a live fire training exercise at fire Gwinnett County Fire Headquarters in Dacula on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Gwinnett County fire recruit David Sargenski has his vital signs taken during rehab after participating in a live burn training exercise at fire headquarters in Dacula on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.