TOMS RIVER – Fire trucks pull up to a house, a group of firefighters swarm the property, but there’s no fire.
The firefighters break down the door and cut open the roof. They run hoses inside and charge in with full protective gear.
No one is in danger. In fact, the house is empty.
The owner of the property is planning to demolish the house, so they lend it to the fire company before it comes down.
“Acquired structures are extremely valuable for firefighter training,” said Silverton Fire Chief
John P. Keating. “When a building that’s scheduled for demolition is donated to the fire department, it gives us the chance to train in a real structure rather than a classroom or simulation.
“Our firefighters at Station 29 can practice things like search and rescue, ladder operations, ventilation, and advancing hose lines in conditions that closely resemble an actual emergency. The only thing we can’t do is use real (live) fire,” he explained.
The department has been posting pictures on social media of these kinds of training exercises, and sometimes neighbors will comment that they had seen the activity but didn’t know what was going on, and are glad that the firefighters are gaining such experience.
These acquired structures are perfect for conducting hands-on training sessions, giving crews the opportunity to practice critical firefighting techniques in a realistic environment.
In these houses, firefighters practice hose advancements, VEIS (Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search), roof operations, firefighter mayday scenarios and wall breaching.
Training in real structures slated for demolition allows firefighters to work through complex situations they may encounter during real emergencies, officials said. It provides valuable, real-world experience that cannot be replicated in controlled settings. The exercises help firefighters better understand fire behavior and building conditions, improving their ability to adapt quickly on scene.
The department emphasized that consistent, scenario-based training is essential to ensuring members remain prepared for a wide range of emergency situations and can respond effectively when called upon. It provides valuable experience and a better understanding of what could be encountered during actual emergencies.
“We’re very fortunate to have a Silverton community that really supports its volunteer fire department. Many of the buildings we train in come from property owners who are planning to demolish them and choose to donate them for firefighter training. Sometimes it’s also through friends of friends helping spread the word,” the chief said. “That community support gives our firefighters the chance to train in real buildings so we’re better prepared to protect the people who live here.
“I’m sure this is true for other departments as well but for Silverton, Station 29, that type of hands-on training is critical. It builds confidence, improves teamwork, and ultimately helps ensure that when we respond to an emergency in the community, our members are better prepared to do the job safely and effectively. It’s really the community helping us train to protect them,” he said.
Residents with properties scheduled for demolition who are interested in allowing the fire company to train in their structures can contact the department at fire29officers@trfire.org.
