I am always browsing around the web looking at different fire simulations, because you know you can never train too much. I ending up on the StageIT web page the other day. They had a link to a news story about a Searcy, AR department that is using their Emergency Response Simulator and I attached the video below. The system looks like it lets you build lots of different exercises because you can select different scenarios as you go along. The one thing I thought was interesting was that according to the news clip you can take a digital photo of any building in your area and input it into the simulator for use in a simulation. The simulator comes pre-loaded with clip art images, commercial and residential photographs, fire, smoke animations and over 130 sound files. There is also an expansion pack if you need more smoke and fire effects. The base package with the instructor's license and manual is running $1499 right now with student licenses running $159. You can check their website for more information on this and other simulators the company has.
Earlier this week two cars crashed in front of a New Hampshire fire station. One of the cars was deflected and crashed right into the Pelham fire station. Three firefighters near the station doors heard the car coming and luckily got out of the way in time.
This Saturday, Sept. 26 the project is a fire engine. It looks really neat. For more information and to sign up for this project, go to www.lowescreativeideas.com.
