The Luxemburg Fire Department completed training exercises inside a farm house scheduled for demolition. The opportunity was thanks to a partnership with Kinnard Farms.
Brad Zellner, Safety and Training Officer for the Luxembourg Fire Department, said the department reached out to the farm. They did so after learning the structure was slated to be torn down.
“They were graceful enough to allow us to get in there and really, really get some hands-on, good, life-safety, safety-focused training,” Zellner said.
The real-world environment allowed firefighters to practice critical tactics that are difficult to simulate with standard training equipment. Crews breached five different locked exterior doors. They practiced basement rescues of downed personnel through windows. Finally, they broke through interior sheetrock and plaster-and-lath walls to simulate escaping a structural collapse.
Firefighters also cut holes in the structure’s roof to practice vertical ventilation. The technique is used to clear toxic smoke and heat from a burning building. It improves interior visibility for rescue teams. Zellner noted that every firefighter walked away with valuable experience, adding that any structure with windows, doors and a basement offers a distinct advantage over standard drills.
The partnership between the department and Kinnard Farms extends beyond structural training. The farm also provides a vital water fill site for the department by allowing them to utilize reclaimed wastewater. Zellner emphasized that having access to this water supply is a significant benefit in rural areas where traditional fire hydrants, ponds, and rivers are unavailable.
Fire officials encourage community members who own ponds or structures scheduled for future demolition to contact their local fire departments through non-emergency lines to discuss potential training or resource opportunities.
“Most fire departments would jump at that opportunity to get in there and get some hands-on,” Zellner said.
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