Along with Hanover instructors teaching was lead by Todd Delaurier from the Manitoba Emergency College and Steinbach Fire Lieutenant Trevor Schellenberg.
"This gives everyone a chance to work with each other," explains Kehler. "I've talked to a couple of the younger guys and they were really excited about having some of the senior firefighters come in and just give them some more knowledge."
When it comes to other training drills Kehler says it's great to learn the various skills adding the feeling of going through the motions during training versus a real life situation will always be different.
"It's not something that you want to ever happen but you want to have instincts when it does happen," notes Kehler, referring to a Denver Drill, which is when firefighters retrieve a downed firefighter from a tight enclosed space. "This is what I need to do, these are the steps I need to take. Again, unfortunately, drilling and real-life are quite different. When you get into a real life scenario there's more adrenaline going through the body. But still, if you can rely on your training and go back to that and say, 'this is what I need to do, keep calm, keep my head on and we'll go through the steps and we'll get out of here.'"
Kehler says he decided to become a firefighter because he wanted to help and be involved in his community. Likewise, he adds he enjoys training because he gets to spend more time with the guys who are a part of the Kleefeld Fire Department.
"We're down to earth, your neighbour next door type of person," notes Kehler. "We all have other jobs and we're very family oriented. Saturday night we had a supper and we brought our wives, kids and significant others who are very supportive of us. The community is also very supportive. When you get that kind of support, it's a little bit easier to give up some of your free time to go to a fire call."
Kehler says an annual fire training weekend is something he would like to see continue. He also thanks all those who helped out during the weekend, gave of their time and also to the various businesses who supplied food for all the firefighters.