FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – It’s been said that ‘practice makes perfect’ and for fire rescue crews in Broward it may also save lives.

On Tuesday firefighters from four cities and the county came together to practice three types of rescues using the partially constructed bridge over the North New River Canal on the west side of Florida’s Turnpike.

One exercise was to rescue a stricken construction from the overpass which is approximately six stories tall.

“We’re using an overpass in this situation but the reality is this could be simulating a building under construction, any other high point, high angle that they may have to deal with,” said Davie Fire Rescue Chief Jorge Gonzalez.

The training is not taken lightly and the fighters to every precaution as they put their lives at risk while practicing to save others. Last January, Pompano Beach firefighter/EMT William “Bill” Elliott died after falling from a 100-ft aerial fire truck at the station during a training exercise.

“It is always on our minds and we try to think about safety. The more we drill, the safer we’re going to be,” said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Captain Andy Berkowitz

The technical training exercises will continue over the next two days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.