Maine Fire Service Institute will use critical piece of equipment for regional trainings around the state to simulate live-fire scenarios.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that the Maine Fire Service Institute—based out of Southern Maine Community College—will receive a $434,783 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase a live-fire training trailer.
“This is fantastic news for fire departments and communities around the state. The Maine Fire Service Institute will be able to transport this critical piece of equipment to firefighters in far corners of Maine who might not be able to access a training facility,” said Pingree. “I’m so glad that this federal investment will help Maine firefighters get the valuable, hands-on training they need to better protect themselves and the public in dangerous situations.”
According to Maine Fire Service Institute Deputy Director Jim Graves, the trailer is a portable burn building that can simulate multiple live-fire scenarios and offers a number of training aspects, including ladder placement, ventilation, search and rescue, and confined spaces. Once built, the Institute will use the trailer to host regional trainings throughout the state for firefighters from multiple departments.
“This will be a huge asset to the state,” Graves said. “There’s no limit to the training possibilities it can provide.”
“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program offers critical help to Maine fire departments who are under tight budgetary restrictions, which is why I’ve supported it throughout my time in Congress,” said Pingree. “The statewide benefits of this live-fire trailer offer yet another reason for why this federal program is so important.”
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