For the past two weeks, the Reems Creek FD has been training with a fire simulator trailer owned by the county, but which rotates amongst all the various departments in the county. Its a semi trailer which has a pop-up second floor, sides that extend out, and a simulated apartment inside.
This is a view of the front side of the trailer.
and a view of the rear side showing the pull out extention.
The interior is set up as a maze and the walls can be moved around to change the maze so every trip inside can be different. There are several points in the interior that can spew propane-fueled flames. Temperatures inside can build up to 800 degrees before the automatic ventilation fans kick in to start ejecting the heat to the outside. There is a smoke generator to compensate for the fact that the propane flames don't make any smoke. It is completely dark inside and flashlights are useless once the smoke banks down to the floor level. There are stairs up to the second floor and you can enter on that level to simulate fighting your way down to a basement fire or there are two different entrances at ground level to simulate various kinds of entry.
This is a picture of the kitchen area on fire, with flames shooting from the oven. This picture was taken from inside the control room as it's too hot and steamy in the actual fire area to risk taking the camera.
The basic drill consists of a two-person team entering with a hoseline, trying to get through the maze in the dark and smoke to find and extinguish the fire, then searching the rest of the apartment to look for a dummy victim, which you then drag back through the maze to safety before your air tank runs dry. It's a very realistic simulation which is run from a computerized control room. There are even sound effects for barking dogs, crying babies, etc to add to the stress level.
This is a view of the front side of the trailer.
and a view of the rear side showing the pull out extention.
The interior is set up as a maze and the walls can be moved around to change the maze so every trip inside can be different. There are several points in the interior that can spew propane-fueled flames. Temperatures inside can build up to 800 degrees before the automatic ventilation fans kick in to start ejecting the heat to the outside. There is a smoke generator to compensate for the fact that the propane flames don't make any smoke. It is completely dark inside and flashlights are useless once the smoke banks down to the floor level. There are stairs up to the second floor and you can enter on that level to simulate fighting your way down to a basement fire or there are two different entrances at ground level to simulate various kinds of entry.
This is a picture of the kitchen area on fire, with flames shooting from the oven. This picture was taken from inside the control room as it's too hot and steamy in the actual fire area to risk taking the camera.
The basic drill consists of a two-person team entering with a hoseline, trying to get through the maze in the dark and smoke to find and extinguish the fire, then searching the rest of the apartment to look for a dummy victim, which you then drag back through the maze to safety before your air tank runs dry. It's a very realistic simulation which is run from a computerized control room. There are even sound effects for barking dogs, crying babies, etc to add to the stress level.
Here a team has just entered with their hose and is searching for the fire.
With the flames knocked down, the team can begin their search for victims.
After five minutes to catch your breath (and for the instructors to move the maze walls around), its time to go back and do it all again. After about 3 hrs of this, you're beat.
After five minutes to catch your breath (and for the instructors to move the maze walls around), its time to go back and do it all again. After about 3 hrs of this, you're beat.
1 comment:
Oh my, that looks awfully hot Norris. I guess you are glad that you did not do this training in July.
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