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FORSYTH TOWNSHIP -- Sizing up a burning building to determine how and where to direct water and how to rescue people inside.  All of the 150 firefighter's in Saturday's training at Tailwinds Bar and Grill in Sawyer learned these firefighting basics when they started at their departments.

But with fires occurring infrequently in their departments, the men and women were glad to brush up.

"It's really tough to keep us up on practice," said Wakefield volunteer firefighter, Mike Yon.  "This guy comes with vast amounts of experience, so we're learning from him."

Retired Chicago firefighter, Raymond Hoff, went over building basics with departments from across the U.P.   He gave tips on which ladders to use for different houses, and new ways to use ladders that some firefighters didn't know.

"Which they can take back and hopefully save some firefighters, save some homes," said Vice President of the U.P. Fire Chief's Association.

And as household materials change to more plastics and synthetics, the types of fires are changing, too.

"Wood, wool, and cloth used to give off 4,600 BTUs per pound in a fire," said Hoff.  "These things are giving 18,000 BTUs per pound or better."

Several firefighters say they can't remember when so many departments came together from across the U.P. to train.

They hope to have more training sessions together in the future.