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31 January 2025
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Technology: Rangeley Fire Department levels up its training with a new device, Maine, US
Rangeley firefighters now have access to cutting-edge training thanks to a $22,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The department recently purchased the Max Fire Box, an innovative training tool designed like a model house to help simulate fire behaviour in a controlled environment. The Max Fire Box is a reusable training prop for firefighters to learn about different kinds of fires and the best ways to extinguish them.
"With the Max Fire Box, we’re able to show all those things I can’t show you at a burn tower or inside a burn container because we’re able to hit all the hazards," Firefighter and creator Shawn Bloemker said, who travelled to Maine to personally train the Rangeley fire crew.
For firefighters like Camden Carmichael, the hands-on experience bridges the gap between the classroom and reality. "The book teaches you one thing and then when you go and see it, it can be a completely different thing," Carmichael said.
The Rangeley Fire Department is responsible for protecting 22 towns and townships, a wide area with limited resources at times. Chief Michael Bacon said realistic, hands-on training is critical for preparing his crew to handle emergencies. However, access to quality training can be a challenge.
"We are rural firefighters, and we’re responding to vehicle accidents, fires, anything that you can imagine to help somebody out," Bacon said.
He said the training session with Bloemker is invaluable. "I want my firefighters to be safe and a prop like this...it makes me feel better because they can touch it. Rather than being in the fire, they can open a door...they can open a window and see how the fire progresses from one room to the next," Bacon added.
Bacon said he hopes to help train neighbouring departments the greater area with the device in the future.
Sources: News Centre Maine
"With the Max Fire Box, we’re able to show all those things I can’t show you at a burn tower or inside a burn container because we’re able to hit all the hazards," Firefighter and creator Shawn Bloemker said, who travelled to Maine to personally train the Rangeley fire crew.
For firefighters like Camden Carmichael, the hands-on experience bridges the gap between the classroom and reality. "The book teaches you one thing and then when you go and see it, it can be a completely different thing," Carmichael said.
The Rangeley Fire Department is responsible for protecting 22 towns and townships, a wide area with limited resources at times. Chief Michael Bacon said realistic, hands-on training is critical for preparing his crew to handle emergencies. However, access to quality training can be a challenge.
"We are rural firefighters, and we’re responding to vehicle accidents, fires, anything that you can imagine to help somebody out," Bacon said.
He said the training session with Bloemker is invaluable. "I want my firefighters to be safe and a prop like this...it makes me feel better because they can touch it. Rather than being in the fire, they can open a door...they can open a window and see how the fire progresses from one room to the next," Bacon added.
Bacon said he hopes to help train neighbouring departments the greater area with the device in the future.
Sources: News Centre Maine