With the cooperation of The Bridge Church, the former Prospect Heights Christian Church building was made available to the PHFD ahead of its demolition. The Bridge is building a new church and so the old one needed to go. Over the years homes scheduled for demolition have been made available to the PHFD for our use in conducting firefighter training. This is the first time we have been able to use a building other than a house.

Last fall a variety of hose drills and search drills were conducted. On March 6 actual fires were set in the basement and crews made attacks on them. This proved invaluable. Besides this being a rarely used skill, we also were able to try out our new federal grant-funded self-contained breathing apparatus – SCBA (air masks) in real fire and smoke conditions.

“Opportunities such as this are extremely valuable in preparing our firefighters for the real thing. We train every day but it’s mostly simulation. These are real fires in a real building,” said Fire Chief Drew Smith. “Anytime a resident or business can allow us to use their building they plan to tear down its greatly appreciated.”

If you are planning to teardown a building and would like to allow the PHFD to use it contact the fire chief. The PHFD will provide a Hold Harmless agreement that protects the owner against liability and defend any claim of injury.