The Estevan Fire Services will host the Saskatchewan Volunteer Firefighters Association's Spring Fire School from April 20 to 22.

Nearly 200 firefighters from across the province are expected to be in Estevan for the event. Various classes will be included in the school to make sure that the firefighters possess the latest in training.

Estevan Deputy Fire Chief Dale Feser said courses will cover a variety of topics, including automobile and bus extraction, fire safety inspections, hazardous materials, confined space, pump operations, vehicle firefighting and much more.

"We have to secure a house, and we have to fully furnish this particular house, just like it would be a regular, single-family dwelling," said Feser. "When they (the firefighters) go through it, they can experience what they would experience in a real life situation.

"That's not that easy. We were able to secure one house that did receive a little bit of flood damage. Now what we have to do is prepare this house to make sure it's safe for these firefighters to go into."

They will also have to secure vehicles for their training. They need a hybrid for the new vehicle technology course. They do have a school bus; now they just need to transport it to a suitable location for school bus firefighting classes.

The firefighting school will also be an opportunity to showcase the city, Feser said. Fire safety inspection courses will be held at Spectra Place and another venue. Confined space sessions will be completed using the simulator owned by the Southeast Regional College.

A banquet and a trade show will also be part of the training school, Feser said. Speakers, presentations and entertainment will be part of the banquet.

The trade show will feature vendors who supply products and services to fire departments.