Learning the ropes

One by one, new firefighter recruits leaned off the side of a ceiling rafter at Hearnes Center, shifting their weight — and their trust — onto a length of rope.

On Friday, rains took nine fire department recruits from Columbia, Sedalia and Marshall and their trainers inside as they practiced repelling from the highest accessible point in the arena.

These drills are designed to give firefighters a taste of what technical rescue entails. The training was Sedalia recruit Kyle Rupe’s first time on the rope. Slowly, Rupe leaned into his harness with his feet on the rafter, then lowered himself to the floor.

“The worst part is getting over the edge,” said Columbia recruit Michael Logan.

Daniel Shaw, a recruit from Sedalia, said his hand cramped from gripping the rope so tightly on his first try.

“Typically after they do it a couple of times, once they have more trust in the equipment ... it’s fun versus being scary,” said Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren Jr.

Columbia Fire Department Training Captain Rick Douglas teased the new recruits, his hand making the shape of a claw.

“Tonight, your hands are going to be stuck like this,” he said.