Three Lehighton-area fire companies conducted a multi-company drill Monday night at the Body and Soul/PDC Spa complex at Seventh and Bridge Street in Lehighton.

The Lehighton Fire Department, Mahoning Valley Fire Company and Franklin Township participated after a pre-drill briefing at the Lehighton Fire Department, followed by apparatus going on site.

Capt. Steve Ebbert, Lehighton Fire Department, said the owners currently have an empty suite of offices that they allowed the fire companies to use artificial smoke in to practice searching for victims and advancing hose to upper stories of large buildings.

“The three fire departments often run mutual aid with each other, and by having a drill that involved all three of us, it builds better working relationships, and allows the firefighters from the three fire departments to get to work with each other and better know each other,” Ebbert said.

“The purpose is to build a better working relationship with each other, and the officers of the three fire departments try to meet and conduct training throughout the year involving all three departments.”

Ebbert explained that several officers from each of the participating departments met the Thursday before the drill to do a walk-through and find how it could best benefit each of the participating departments.

“All the departments were greatly appreciative of the Frey family and the owners/operators of Body and Soul and PDC Spa for allowing us to utilize their building for this operation,” he said.

“It’s not often that we’re able to conduct drills in a multistory building, which is challenging for firefighters just because of the length of hose and having to work on multiple levels. It’s different from a normal residential fire.”

Ebbert said that between everyone, there were over 50 volunteer firefighters, officers and fire police who participated.

“It was a very successful drill, and all the departments were pleased with how the night went,” he said. “And the Frey family was on scene, and we made sure that we thanked them for their gracious donation for use of the building.”

Ebbert added that members of the local fire police maintained traffic control to make sure that while working on the streets, firefighters were safe while on the drill.

Michael Mriss, Assistant Fire Chief, Lehighton Fire Department, said the training proved to be especially useful.

“The ability to perform scenario training in buildings in our coverage area is invaluable and is extremely beneficial for firefighter training,” Mriss said. “The Lehighton Fire Department greatly appreciates the Frey family for allowing us to utilize their facility for this training.”