Used to seeing each other in crisis situations, area emergency personnel gathered lakeside Saturday to train together — and experience camaraderie in a relaxed environment.

Nelson Fire department, along with the Regional District area fire departments, as well as Ministry of Forests Initial Attack teams, showcased their apparatus and equipment as they worked together to ensure all equipment is compatible.

Part of the exercise included relay pumping from one end of the parking lot to the other utilizing each department’s apparatus.

There was also a home sprinkler demonstration as well as an opportunity to talk to the firefighters about wildfire mitigation and what home owners can do to protect their own property in the event of an approaching wildfire.

Timed to coincide with Emergency Preparedness week, other agencies were on hand to display equipment and provide information including the Nelson Police department, RCMP, BC Ambulance, Nelson Search and Rescue, and Emergency Social Services.

Once the training exercise was completed, the firefighters and other agencies answered questions and provided tours of the trucks and equipment.