City leaders from Sharon got a taste Saturday of how it feels to step into the boots of some of their town’s bravest men.

“It’s definitely a different perspective,” Councilman Robert Messina said after dragging a fire hose up a flight of stairs and extinguishing a controlled training fire in Butler.

Messina said he’s always been appreciative of Sharon firefighters, but has a new respect for the men who put their lives at risk to save others.

Firefighters invited council members to take part in an introductory course to their trade held at the Butler County Fire School on the campus of Butler Community College.

The firsthand experience showed Messina and Councilman Darin Flower just how difficult a firefighter’s job can be, they said.

Firefighters showed the men how to rescue victims trapped in cars and a smoky home before allowing them to attempt it themselves.

“They explained it very well,” Messina said, noting he never knew how hard it was to navigate through a burning building until he had the chance to try it.

“You have to use all you senses,” he added.

The councilmen also had to adjust to maneuvering in firefighter gear, which can add 60 to 80 pounds of extra weight when dodging smoke and flames.

“It put quite a toll on me,” Flower said once the sweaty equipment came off.

The event was a great opportunity for council members to learn what firefighters can potentially encounter on a daily basis, Lt. Mike Unrue of the department said.

It also helped council become familiar with the equipment the department uses and what could be needed down the road, Unrue added.

Along with Unrue, Sharon firefighters Keith Wareham, Bill Stigliano, Bob Fiscus Jr., Tony Zarella, and Mike Rodriques guided the council members in their training.

Greenville firefighters and officials also participated in the event.

“I’m going to be sore tomorrow,” Flower said after the exhausting day of role reversal.City leaders from Sharon got a taste Saturday of how it feels to step into the boots of some of their town’s bravest men.