Fire Training Props

The Burn Simulator Building is a state of the art propane live fire simulator. This unique building is designed to expose firefighters to realistic fire and smoke conditions under a computer controlled environment.

Six separate burners allow for fires to be generated at multiple locations either separately, together, or in sequence. The first floor features a living room fire, kitchen fire, and an electrical fire in the garage. On the second floor is a bedroom fire with fires starting either on or behind the bed. A chimney fire and a special ceiling rollover feature are also located in the bedroom.

All fires are fed by propane gas, computer controlled and operated by trained instructors. Multiple independent smoke generators can also be operated by the instructors for an added dimension of a smoke filled environment.

Multiple safety features are built into the system to protect the firefighters. Heat sensors, gas detectors, and emergency stop buttons are located throughout the building. If any of the safety features are activated the fires immediately shut down, fans are turned on and all smoke is quickly evacuated..

The "Class A Burn Module" is connected to the Smoke House and adds another dimension in realistic fire training. This addition is designed to burn normal combustible class A material that allows firefighters to confront an actual fire condition.

Fire behavior, fire growth, fire attack, ventilation and smoke travel are just a few of the training evolutions that the firefighters benefit from when training in the Class A Burn Room.

The burn module has two entrances which are remote from each other. The first entrance is close to the room and allows easy access and quick escape for newer trainees. The more advanced firefighters can enter from a different door and will have to navigate a hallway with multiple rooms connected. This presents more challenges and opens a multitude of options for training the more advanced firefighter.

The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services has a newly completed Mask Confidence Course.

This course consists of 18 individual compartments, each with its own set of challenges. The labyrinth is designed to build the confidence and skills of the new firefighters, yet is complex enough to challenge even the most experienced veterans.

The concept of individual compartments allows for the flexibility of moving and rearranging the compartments. This creates a different training scenario each time the compartments are moved. Even after multiple visits to the training center, firefighters may be faced with a different challenge than their previous visit.

The Smoke House is a multi-purpose structure used for training in many aspects of firefighting. It is a two-story building with a full basement and attic. The roof has different pitches and angles for challenging ladder work. A forcible entry prop s located inside to teach firefighters how to quickly and efficiently force open any type of door.

Search and rescue, survival techniques and numerous other scenarios are conducted in the various rooms of the smoke house.

A wall breach training prop presents unique challenges to firefighters, as does the bail-out hook used for quick escape training and firefighter survival.

A class A burn module has been connected to the building, adding another dimension to firefighting training. Live fire training can be tailored to train the newest probationary firefighter or to challenge the seasoned veteran.

Newer dormer windows have been installed to train firefighters to enter structure of a 35 foot ladder.

This van fire prop is extremely versatile with the ability to replicate scenarios such as engine fire and multiple passenger compartment fires. The van fire prop operating system utilizes a handheld control pendant that provides the operator with the ability to create flame spread throughout the vehicle and increase intensity while advancing with the students during the training exercise.

The Confined Space Manhole training prop is a result of the Partners In Safety program created between Con Edison and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Training Center.

This training prop is an actual Con Edison underground electric vault placed above ground for training purposes. The work platform on top is reached by a rear set of stairs to a diamond plated work surface, surrounded by a safety rail. A manhole cover is centered on this platform for entrance into to vault. The inside is a duplication of an underground electric vault including wall racks, brackets, cables and wires.

Rescue training performed on this prop allows the firefighters, EMS workers and Con Edison personnel the true feeling of working inside an electric vault. The front of the vault has an observation widow cut into the concrete which allows instructors to observe the training evolutions.

The Railroad Tanker Car is a 13,500 gallon tanker car mounted on rail tracks. This is a propane fired prop that has six separate burners that can be ignited one at a time, in sequence or all at once.

A few of the simulations that can be produced with this prop are: a running fire that ignites away from the tank and then goes under the tank; a simulated spill at the tank that finds a remote source of ignition; a major fire with impinging flames on the tank; and a pressure relief blow off.

The very large flames and radiated heat produces a training scenario firefighters will not soon forget. Since the basic tactics for fighting tanker fires are the same be it a rail car, highway tanker or fixed in place, this training prop has many uses and is most spectacular to see when fully operating.

The training scenarios require teamwork, coordination, large volumes of water and multiple hose teams.

The training tower is a seven-story apartment building designed to train firefighters for operations in high-rise buildings.

A fire escape rises to the roof, with a four-story exterior stairway as another feature of the building. The interior stairway is open-tread galvanized steel, which allows for quick water drainage, better sunlight penetration, and vision from one floor to the next. A complete and working standpipe system is on every floor, along with a dumbwaiter shaft in the center of the building. The Fourth floor apartment is a �live burn module.�

The windows are operable but covered with steel allowing for a smoke and heat condition to quickly develop.

High rise hose operations, ground ladders, aerial ladder operations, and search and rescue are just a few of the many types of fire and rescue scenarios that are taught and practiced in the tower.

A safety net is located on the north side of the building as a safety backup for firefighters repelling from the windows or roof.

The bailout window props were built to assist fire departments with their required annual bailout training. The windows were built indoors to ensure the use throughout the year. Both windows can be used for Firefighter Survival techniques with window and ladder bails as well as any emergency escape system. Overhead belay lines and safety mats are used for the safety of firefighters performing their skills. Both windows can be used simultaneously to increase efficiency of the training.

The Christmas Tree trainer is actually a propane-fired training prop that was given the nickname, because it's shaped like a Christmas tree. In reality it is a simulator designed to teach firefighters how to properly control the flames, approach and extinguish a fuel gas-fed fire.

The technique involves proper water application allowing the fire teams to approach close enough to the control valve to reach in and shut off the valve. When the valve is shut, the fire is extinguished.

This training develops teamwork and coordination, and is a great confidence builder. Firefighters learn to trust in their training, their equipment, and most importantly, they learn to trust in each other.

Firefighters must work together under the leadership of an officer and approach within a few feet of the flames to shut of the control valve.

The roof vent prop is designed to train firefighters how to properly operate on and vent flat and pitched roofs.

The roof vent prop has multiple training applications. The prop ranges from flat (commercial) to 45 degrees (custom residential) roof pitches. Replaceable roof sections and rafters give firefighters the feel of a real roof while using different types of power saws and tools needed to properly ventilate smoke and heat from a building.

This prop has a forcible entry simulator to train on "through the lock", pry door, hinge cutting and dead bolt cutting. The prop also utilizes sheet rock to perform ceiling pulling and breaching.

This prop offers hands on training for forcible entry. This simulator design, with the incorporation of a replaceable 30 inch door stop and door sleeve, will provide long-lasting training with multiple forces on inward/outward swinging doors. This enables firefighters the repetition required to develop muscle memory for technique proficiency.

The car fire prop is located in the driveway of the Burn Simulator Building. This car fire prop is extremely versatile with the ability to replicate scenarios such as engine fire and multiple passenger compartment fires with exposure to a structure.

The car can also be placed in the garage and simulate an engine fire while in the structure. The car fire prop can be utilized in conjunction with the Burn Simulator Building to simulate fire exposure issues as well as fire spread to the structure.