Alexandria, VA Fire Department-Live Burn

I was hired by the Alexandria, VA Fire Department to create a new library of images to be used mainly for recruitment purposes. They gave me access to everything, the fire boat, the hazmat trainings, the small intimate moments, everything. However, it was this location and this shot, that became my favorite. This was taken at the Burn Building, a facility where a controlled burn can take place and drills can be run. Portions of the exterior and interior were set ablaze and different teams are sent in to extinguish the flames, breach the building, and rescue anyone inside (represented by life size dummies). Overall this project took about a month and a half to complete. They let me into their world quite a bit, and over time I realized that I had never been around so many people who genuinely care. From what they do at their jobs day to day, to what they do in their spare time. They don't get enough credit for the work they do and the expertise they have. I started this project off with a lot of respect for firefighters, but I left it realizing that we owe fire departments all around the world so much more.