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04092025 Peter Bowyer, a fire ground survival instructor, watches as Alex Doucet, a fire training officer with the Ninette Fire Department, works his way through a confidence course in full fire gear and completely blindfolded as part of training at the Manitoba Emergency Services College during the Brandon Emergency Services Conference 2025 on Thursday. 90 firefighters from different departments across the province took part in two days of training and courses. The confidence course simulated being a lost and disoriented firefighter separated from their crew during a fire. Each course participant had to navigate the obstacle course blind, while dealing with cramped spaces, obstacles and loud music and sounds, while following a hose line out of the course. The training is followed by the conference, which begins today and runs until Saturday, with speakers, a trade show and social events. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)