On December 16th and 22nd, FDLS members participated in Structural Burn Classes that were held in two acquired structures located in the township. The structures, located in a flood plane, were purchased by Lower Swatara Township as part of a grant buy-out program. The Township was gracious enough to allow the department to train on these structures prior to them being demolished.

This opportunity allowed personnel to witness fire growth and development as well as practice hose line deployment in a real-world scenario. Crews were also able to witness the effectiveness of a pressurized water can, one of the tools taken for protection of a search crew, in suppressing a fire so that crews have time to evacuate when conditions deteriorate.

FDLS would like to thank John Fogg and the cadre of instructors from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy for facilitating and instructing these classes. We would also like to thank Deputy Chief Dan Phillips for coordinating and putting everything together that is required to do a controlled burn class in an acquired structure in such a short time frame. Finally, we would like to thank Lower Swatara Township and the Lower Swatara Township Board of Commissioners for recognizing and allowing us this unique opportunity to conduct training as well as assisting with preparing the structures.

Photos courtesy of Dustin Weese and Dylan Zimmerman