Local firefighters have been honing their skills with some heavy duty equipment.
Over the last several weeks, crews from all 19 fire stations in Chatham-Kent were able to train on the Office of the Fire Marshal’s mobile live fire training unit (MLFTU.)
The training unit is a 53-foot vehicle designed to provide firefighters with realistic experiences, offering the flexibility of on-site training tailored to the specific needs of each fire department.
The MLFTU has its own generator and supply of gas cylinders, allowing the unit to operate independently without the need for any external resources.
Chatham-Kent Assistant Chief Sean McRoberts says the unit is able to simulate various fire scenarios, which is crucial for preparing firefighters for the unpredictability of real emergencies.
“With customizable walls and configurations, it can simulate a range of situations, including kitchen fires, living room blazes, and more complex scenarios involving multiple props,” said McRoberts in a news release. “The capability to raise a second story hydraulically further enhances training realism, pushing firefighters to adapt and respond to high-pressure situations, much like they would in the field.”
