Published: June 10, 2007 10:17 pm         

Firefighters learning from mobile trainer

FAYETTEVILLE — When battling a deadly blaze, firefighters know seconds can mean the difference between life and death for both themselves and the citizens they serve.

Saturday and Sunday, firefighters from across the state flocked to Fayetteville High School to become the second group to train with the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension’s mobile structural fire trainer — a new, $450,000 mobile facility designed to bring the firefighting experience to life, so firefighters will know exactly what to do to save lives.

Murrey Loffin, director of the WVU fire service extension, said WVU received the 53-foot, two-story trailer in May, and it was constructed by the New Jersey-based Kidde Fire Trainers.

The trailer can be set up like a residence or commercial building — complete with burning couches, beds, stoves — and motors.

Built-in propane tanks fuel the blazes, which can be immediately shut off for safety.

The trailer is designed to make the firefighter training true-to-life as possible, according to Loffin, and such training will improve firefighters’ efficiency when they respond to real-life emergencies.

Along with the live fires, audio will sound with people screaming — often saying they cannot find their children — and babies crying. Simulated nontoxic smoke fills the trailer. Doors will simulate a locked door firefighters will often have to breach.

WVU is opening a new state fire academy in Jackson’s Mill this fall, Loffin said, but the extension wanted to have a mobile training module to bring to communities whose firefighters could not make it there.

“We realize not everyone can come to Jackson’s Mill, but we can come to them,” he said.

“...This is a very exciting opportunity to provide training for the fire services in West Virginia. A lot of departments wouldn’t have the ability to attend. This provides extensive live fire training. We have the opportunity to be very, very, very realistic.”

Chief John Vernon of the Fayetteville Fire Department said fire departments do not have the opportunity to train their personnel with live fires often. In fact, firefighters’ required training only has one such simulation.

“This is why it is so important to do this,” he said. “...I love it, and everyone here loves it.”

Sunday, Vernon said training personnel planned to make the training more complex, such as adding mannequins firefighters will have to rescue.

Adam Petry, a firefighter for the Montgomery Fire Department, was more than pleased with the training as he came from the trailer dripping with sweat.

“This is amazing,” he said.

Petry was especially pleased that the trailer had cut-off devices for firefighter safety, which control heat and burning materials.

“This will help us have skills that will allow us to do things correctly and more efficiently — a good learning and teaching tool.”

The participants were not limited to Fayette County fire departments. According to sign-up rosters, about 30 departments across the state had members participating.

Counties from which they came included Fayette, Raleigh, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Summers, Logan, Monongalia, Clay and Putnam.

During the training exercises, the Fayette County Firefighter’s Association was raffling a leather fire helmet, and all proceeds will go to the William Giacomo Scholarship Fund.

Giacomo was a Nicholas County deputy sheriff who was killed in the line of duty in 2000.

He was also a volunteer firefighter and Fayette County native.

The raffle will last until July 12, and those interested in the raffle are encouraged to contact 574-1610.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com