Don’t be surprised to see fire engines and ambulances in the parking lot of the old Bonney Lake Albertson’s store starting this week. East Pierce Fire and Rescue will be using the building, located at 20025 state Route 410 East, beginning the last week of May and continuing through the end of June for firefighter training.

“The interior of the building is perfect for search and rescue drills and firefighter survival training,” said East Pierce Battalion Chief Doug Walker. “It’s completely gutted and, when dark, provides the perfect setting for a special obstacle course we have created inside.”

One of the drills will involve a single firefighter, who must find his or her way out of the building, with a blacked-out mask to simulate a smoke-filled room.

“It’s a situation that can occur during a fire in a large commercial building,” Walker said. “This is the type of training that can save firefighters lives by allowing them to learn from their mistakes in a safe environment.”

Every East Pierce firefighter, both career and volunteer, will be required to complete all five of the planned drills. Training will be conducted indoors but the department said it will post photos of the training on its website, www.eastpiercefire.org, for the public to view.

Without a training facility, East Pierce must take advantage of empty buildings when they become available.

“We are extremely grateful to Albertsons for allowing us to use the building,” said Walker.