HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech is hosting a four day training course for Keweenaw firefighters.  It comes complete with live fire demonstrations and video-enhanced lectures.  The idea is to better prepare these "Hometown Heroes" for the unpredictable situations they face on the job.

"We're trying to provide some specialized training to emergency response agencies in the area that they can use to compliment the good work they're already doing," said Jon Stone.

The program kicked off Wednesday night with a demonstration of the best way to battle live propane fires.  Those who participated say they now feel ready to handle a propane fire should the situation occur.

"Training went really well.  It showed us how, when we do get on a real-life scene, how to shut the propane off by using a wrench or just reaching over and turning down the nozzle," said David Luoma, a firefighter from Calumet Township.

On Thursday night, a guest lecturer from the National Institute of Standards and Technology used videos to display how different materials such as foam and elements such as air can complicate a structure fire.

"We're using thermal imaging cameras, we're using temperature sensors to try to give them some insight that they won't get on a fire ground as to what's going on, and a lot of times students will say that happened to me once or I understand now, now I know why that happened," said Dan Madrzykowski.

Even veteran firefighters had something to learn from the presentation.

"It's not just pumping water into a building; we're seeing what's causing it and one thing he's emphasizing is, we're losing firefighters and that's a big problem," said Richard Caudill, Watersmeet Fire Chief.

Tomorrow the course concludes with more demonstrations of chemical fires.  Organizers say they hope to make this training an annual event.