Today’s economic conditions make finances a challenge with emerging from a pandemic, rising inflation, and unprecedented gas prices. With all that, balancing the budget with the needs of firefighting training puts command in a tough predicament, raising a lot of questions, among them: What can the department afford? What do systems cost? Modern training systems can be broken down into four groups:
- Prop-based, live-fire systems.
- Mobile live-fire systems.
- Permanent live-fire structures.
- Specialty training systems.
Let’s look at each.
Prop-Based, Live-Fire Systems
The least expensive among the choices, prop-based systems emulate different common fire scenarios including cars, dumpsters, barbecue grills, propane tanks, Christmas trees, and more. Some of these systems are flexible, including a base unit and attachable props.
Using propane with a water bath, the unit includes a control with safety options like a dead-man switch. The control may be able to generate a multistage fire to create a dynamic evolution.
Some of these prop-based systems can be mobile—ideal for fire departments without a designated training ground. A smaller system, like one for public fire extinguisher training, can begin under $10,000. Larger systems start around $40,000 and go up from there based on the number of props and the sophistication of the control system.
Mobile Live-Fire Systems
These mobile systems allow fire departments without a designated facility to still provide the required training. Some regional jurisdictions or state fire academies may select these systems to transport the training to the fire departments.
1 Mobile prop-based systems can provide multiple-stage fires and interchangeable props. (Photos courtesy of Dräger.)
Mobile training systems can be Class A, fueled by wood products, or Class B, using propane. These systems are on wheels and require either a dual-rear-wheel one-ton truck or a semi to move them.
Based on the Swede Survival System, Class A systems use a shipping container configuration to create either a Phase 1 for flashover observation or a Phase 2 for interior attack. Both allow firefighters to observe actual smoke and fire behavior that leads to a flashover.
Class B systems can provide greater flexibility for multiple types of training evolutions. Available from 30 to 53 feet in length, a mobile live-fire training unit can include props that imitate a kitchen, bedroom, or living room along with movable walls. Some systems include stair access to a second level for bailout or pitched roof training.
A control room or portable panel gives complete control. Enhancing a system with features like theatrical smoke can add more realism to the firefighting education.
Class A systems start at $100,000 and top out at around $150,000, depending on customized options. Because of the level of sophistication required, Class B mobile systems begin at around $300,000 and can cost more than $500,000.
Permanent Live-Fire Structures
The choices here can get rather complex, depending on the funds available and the type of structure desired.
At the simplest, a Class A Swede System, like a single-container simple Phase 1 or Phase 2, can begin at around $80,000. Going to more sophisticated systems, a custom multilevel multifire Swede Phase 5 or building a Class B system can push prices into hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s all about the needs for your organization’s training.
Containerized options that use the 20- or 40-foot shipping containers can be properly engineered with multiple levels, several burn rooms, and many props for sophisticated training scenarios to emulate a home or business. Containers can be insulated for Class A or Class B options. Container systems tend to be far less expensive.
Traditional brick-and-mortar buildings can drive up expenses, especially when integrating a Class B system. Making sure the structure can withstand years of intensely hot fires requires detailed engineering and attention to detail. The architectural requirements followed by more traditional building processes could extend the amount of time needed to see such a project through from start to finish.
Specialty Training Systems
When training for vehicle extrications, confined-space rescue, tanker chemical spills, and other scenarios, these systems provide an option. Cost will vary with the type of system and any customization that may be required.
2 SCBA confidence mazes aid in teaching improved maneuverability rescue and RIT scenarios.
SCBA confidence mazes provide maneuverability training along with search and rescue or rapid intervention team exercises. A maze cost can be reasonable based on the level of sophistication and whether the system is mounted in a trailer or includes theatrical smoke.
Questions to Consider
As your organization goes through the process of looking at a training system, consider asking a potential builder some of these questions:
- Do your live-fire systems comply with National Fire Protection Association standards?
- What education is provided to the local trainers running the systems?
- Can you provide detail of the structural engineering for the training system?
- How are units insulated to endure the intense heat and fire produced?
- Does your company provide a warranty?
- What curriculum is available for the system?
- Are you aware of grant programs?
Grants are available from many sources, but many may consider the largest program, U.S. Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG). From the U.S. Government, the AFG includes some stipulations when it comes to purchasing a training system. In general, a local fire department is currently limited to a maximum of $50,000 for the purchase of a training system. This makes many options out of reach to be fully funded by a grant. However, fire academies and regional jurisdictions serving multiple fire departments may apply for AFG for more. Be sure to visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters to learn more about the requirements.
Michael Foster served at DFW International Airport for 25 years. Foster concluded his tenure at DFW as the assistant fire chief for the DFW Fire Training Research Center, the world-renowned education center in the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) industry. That center has trained more than 25,000 firefighters from more than 45 states and 30 countries around the world. Foster retired in 2015 and joined Dräger as senior product specialist for fire training systems. Prior to joining DFW, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a firefighter.
