Firefighters from the Olympia Fire Department (OFD) will be training on top of and inside the Plaza Garage, the underground parking structure on the east Capitol Campus, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, 25 and 30.

The training will help familiarize firefighters with the locations of fire alarm panels, standpipe connections, stairwells and other structural elements of the parking garage. Being familiar with the garage helps firefighters develop tactics and strategies for dealing with emergencies there.

"The Plaza Garage poses several unique challenges," says Captain Todd Carson, fire training officer with the Olympia Fire Department. "Having an intimate knowledge of the garage layout before an incident, instead of going in there blindly, helps our members and the citizens we protect stay safe."

Carson says the fire department has hired nearly 30 members in the past four years and none of them have had in-depth training in the Plaza Garage. Nearly 60 firefighters will receive training in the garage over the three days.

Two or three fire department vehicles will be parked along 11th Avenue, near the Natural Resources Building and Capitol Court Building, during the training.

Follow Enterprise Services on Twitter.

Learn more about Visitor Services on Facebook.