Firefighters prepare to attack a live-fire training project at Brayton Fire Training Field. - Photo by Anton Riecher

Firefighters prepare to attack a live-fire training project at Brayton Fire Training Field.

Photo by Anton Riecher

In action compelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, all Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service classes through April 8 have been either cancelled or rescheduled, including those at Brayton Fire Training Field.

Brayton, the largest fire training facility in the U.S., annually attracts more than 45,000 emergency responders worldwide. More than 130 specific training stations offer instruction in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical care, as well as emergencies involving hazardous materials, marine vessels and aircraft.

Only last week, TEEX announced that face-to-face classes and meetings would be limited to 10 or fewer people through April 3 to allow social distancing.

“If future shelter-in-place orders are released or updated in any region where we are scheduled to provide training, courses will be adjusted to follow the orders of that particular region,” a press release issued by TEEX states.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Center for Disease Control reported that 44,183 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the U.S. with 544 deaths as a result. Globally, the World Health Organization reports 372,757 confirmed cases with 16,231 deaths to date.

The disease causes respiratory illness much like the flu with symptoms such as cough, fever and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. Coronavirus spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze.

TEEX Director David Coatney had previously announced that, whenever possible, training would be delivered by alternate methods to allow online attendance and all face-to-face classes and meeting would be limited to 10 or fewer people.

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