Winnipeg mayor, councillor experience live-fire training with firefighters
Posted June 15, 2026 8:42 pm.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and Coun. Vivian Santos stepped into a live-fire training environment Monday, getting a firsthand look at the conditions firefighters face on the job.
Before entering the training exercise, Santos acknowledged the intense conditions awaiting participants.
“apparently is going to be very, very hot in there up towards 500 Fahrenheit. So that’s going to be probably the scariest part of it,” said Santos.
The pair participated in a condensed version of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Fire Dynamics program, which teaches firefighters how fires behave, how dangerous conditions develop and how crews can safely operate inside burning structures.
Deputy Chief Scott Wilkinson of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Fire, Rescue Operations and Training said the experience was designed to provide city leaders with a better understanding of firefighters’ work.
“He and Councillor Santos are getting a first-hand look, feel and appreciation for the fire dynamics training program that we run and what live fire looks like for firefighters in the city of Winnipeg,” said Wilkinson.
Inside specially designed training containers, participants encountered smoke, intense heat and live flames in a carefully controlled environment. While the conditions are realistic, firefighters say actual emergencies can be far more challenging.
“The real fires are much more unpredictable due to the level of combustion, the type of products, the combustibles in the building, modern furniture, different conditions inside. It’s much more stressful, much more difficult to control the environment. But this is a controlled way to consistently teach our firefighters how to address that fire,” said Wilkinson.
The program, developed using fire science research, has been operating in Winnipeg since 2018. Fire officials say it is one of the most advanced training programs of its kind in Canada and helps firefighters recognize dangerous conditions before they become life-threatening.
“We’re the only department in Canada that has actually run with the program and committed the resources and supports continually we’ve trained almost all of our firefighters,” said Wilkinson.
For Gillingham, the experience also highlighted the importance of investments in firefighter training and equipment.
“When our fire paramedic team are talking about, for example, needed investments in equipment or in training facilities, this helps us understand what they’re talking about when they’re making their budgetary requests,” said Gillingham.
Fire officials say programs such as Fire Dynamics help ensure crews are prepared for the unpredictable conditions they face while responding to emergencies across Winnipeg.
