Newmarket and Aurora members of council had a chance to put themselves in the boots of a firefighter for the day.

Central York Fire Services (CYFS), in partnership with Central York Professional Firefighters Association, invited local politicians to Fire Ops 101 at the CYFS Training Centre in Newmarket and various locations in Richmond Hill Friday, June 7.

The day-long workshop saw them suiting up in full protective gear and performing firefighting and rescue operation scenarios, including vehicle extrication, a medical scenario, ice water rescue, a live fire search and rescue, rope rescue operations and on-site training using a virtual reality simulator.

Newmarket participants included Mayor John Taylor, councillors Jane Twinney, Christina Bisanz, Trevor Morrison and Grace Simon.