Montgomery County, PA

 

CONSHOHOCKEN — Firefighters from Montgomery County have the opportunity for more in-depth and sophisticated training following the Montgomery County Commissioners dedication of a new high-rise addition to the Structural Fire Building.

 

The $2.2 million four-story addition brings the size of the “Burn Building” to 20,000 square feet. It includes simulated office cubicles, both internal and external high-rise fire escapes and rappelling anchors attached to the roof.

 

Increased development has brought larger and more complex structures to Montgomery County and our firefighters, most of whom are volunteer, need training experience in multi-level structures.

 

A portion of the money was used to fix heat and moisture damage in the old portion of the building, which is located at the County’s Public Safety Training Campus.

 

In order to prevent such damage from happening again, new heat resistant tiles have been added and a thermal coupling system installed to monitor the temperature inside. If a fire gets too hot, an instructor can activate sprinklers to extinguish it quickly.

 

The sprinkler system has another use as well. Firefighters need to be trained on how to turn sprinklers off once they’ve been activated to prevent unnecessary water damage. It isn’t always as simple as turning a valve.

 

 

Left to Right, Commissioner Jim Matthews and Commissioner Ruth Damsker look on as Commissioners Chairman Thomas Jay Ellis prepares to light the first fire in Montgomery County's newly refurbished and expanded Structural Fire Building.