The Valentine Volunteer Fire Department took an opportunity to practice Search and Rescue in total darkness in the “Dark Maze” of the Haunted House at the Cherry County Fairgrounds this past Tuesday. This training allowed local firefighters to do zero light search and rescue simulations using their thermal imaging camera, and also search “blind” by tracing their route with a hose. Firemen in full personal protective equipment (PPE) gear got on their hands and knees and searched for their targets. According to Fire Chief Terry Engels, the building crew for the haunted house “really outdid themselves” and provided the fire department a training scenario on a scale that they normally would not be able to build for themselves. Engels hopes to do at least one more training at the fairgrounds before it is taken down for the season.