Nine different fire departments from across Michiana came to South Bend for structural collapse training.

The training is vital for saving lives when disaster strikes.

The team is made up of specially trained members from area fire departments including:

• Clay
• South Bend
• Mishawaka
• Notre Dame
• Goshen
• Elkhart
• Warsaw
• Penn
• Niles

This week they learned how to use specialty equipment to drill and cut through concrete as well as cut heavy steel.

The departments train four times a year to keep their skill set sharp year round.