RHINELANDER - It's a common nightmare - falling into a deep pit with no escape.

But it's something that can and does happen.

Friday the Rhinelander Fire Department practiced rescuing people in that situation.

They call it confined space training.

Firefighters rescued a dummy from a 25-foot-deep broke pulper at the Wausau Paper mill.

"The patient has to be safely handled and returned to the opening so they can be treated by EMS and taken to the hospital if needed," Assistant Chief Tom Waydick.

It's just one of several specialty trainings the fire department practices each year.

They hope they will rarely have to use it.

"We haven't had to use these skills for an actual rescue in recent history," Waydick said. "But we have the potential, with all this industry in the area, the potential is there for a rescue."

The cooperation between the mill and fire department is critical for both sides.

"Wausau Paper as always been excellent to work with," Waydick said. "We've worked with them for years on confined space training, and other training as well."

The relationship between the two continues throughout the year, including tours of each other's facilities.