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Russell Township Fire Services are hosting the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office (OFM) Mobile Live Fire Training Unit (MLFTU) at Station 11 in Embrun this week. The MLFTU is a propane-fueled state-of-the-art live-fire simulator, expertly managed by Ontario Fire College instructors and funded by the OFM. This initiative is designed to enhance crucial firefighting skills, including fire suppression, pumper operations, and incident management systems.
This unit is brought to municipalities at no cost as it is funded by the province to ensure accessible training throughout Ontario. These units are customizable, with adjustable walls and configurations to simulate various scenarios. The ability to train at home with familiar equipment and team members is vital.
“What a great opportunity for our firefighters to have access to safe high quality live fire training in our own back yard. With this unit, our firefighters can strengthen their skills as we continue to deliver a quality service to our community. This training would not have been possible without the funding and support of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Fire Marshal,” shared Fire Chief Brian McBain.
Having this simulator in our community this week also allowed many other fire departments to attend the same high-quality training. We welcome partnerships with other stations and were happy to host firefighters from Casselman, Champlain, Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury East, North Stormont, Ottawa and South Glengarry Fire Departments.
"The safety of our firefighters is our top priority. This training is designed to ensure that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. By practicing in realistic yet controlled environments, we’re better prepared to protect our community and each other in actual emergencies," said Deputy Fire Chief Ian Courville.
What is the MLFTU?
The Dräger Mobile Live Fire Training Unit (MLFTU) is a 53-foot, multi-purpose training vehicle designed for training versatility and ease of transport. It is equipped with an on-board generator and a supply of gas cylinders. It can therefore be operated completely without external supplies. The MLFTU can also be combined with other fixed training installations. A second story can be hydraulically raised during operation and lowered for transport.
Firefighters are confronted with real flames, extreme heat, high humidity, severely restricted visibility and thick smoke during their training. This allows them to train for an emergency as realistically as possible.
To address individual training requirements, all systems are designed specifically for the customer. Applicable standards and the latest technology are incorporated in every design.
The selection of typical fire scenarios includes:
- Kitchen
- Bed/couch
- Multiprop (various props available)
- Wall fire
- Rollover
Despite the extreme heat, the MLFTU is designed for safety during training. Redundant safety devices for gas and temperature monitoring in accordance with relevant NFPA and CSA codes and guidelines control the conditions in the burn areas. If defined limits are exceeded or the emergency cut-off switch is operated, the system is automatically switched off and forced ventilation is activated.
For more information: https://www.draeger.com/en-us_ca/Products/Mobile-Live-Fire-Training-Unit-MLFTU-53
Quick Facts
- There are 441 fire departments in Ontario including 32 large municipal services consisting of full-time fire personnel, 215 composite fire departments made up of full-time and volunteer personnel, and 194 small municipal fire services or communities without municipal organization and are made up solely of volunteers.
- Municipal fire departments work closely with the Office of the Fire Marshal to deliver educational and training programs for firefighters.
- The Mobile Live Fire Training Units were manufactured in Ontario by Dräger Safety Canada. Dräger is an international leader in medical and safety technology with over 130 years of experience.
- The National Fire Protection Association is an internationally recognized organization that develops fire service training standards used in Ontario.
To view what the MLFTU offers, please watch this short video: Ontario Fire Marshal's Office Mobile Live Fire Training Unit with Central York Fire Services