SEATTLE — The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) teamed up with the Washington National Guard for a joint training exercise to prepare for rescuing survivors during natural disasters and fires in high rise buildings.

A Blackhawk helicopter was used to hoist firefighters and dummies from a structure at the joint training facility in West Seattle.

"This is a very perishable skillset, so we try to train with them at least four or five times a year," said Captain Mike Dulas of the Seattle Fire Department. "This is kinda high risk stuff so you need to be prepared and have a working knowledge."

Dulas said the National Guard would likely be called to assist in the event of a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake or major flooding.

He and the other firefighters took turns in a series of exercis

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