TFD Flashover Training is a 'Trial By Fire'

Since Monday firefighters at the have been training in a cool mobile lab that simulates fire behavior.

The Division of State Fire Marshall’s Ohio Fire Academy brought its Mobile Fire Behavior Lab to the department for intense fire behavior training, which began on Monday and ended Wednesday. Firefighters and fire officers from all three of the fire department’s shifts went through the firey training.

The lab creates pre-flashover conditions in a specially-designed metal building hauled by a semi-tractor. Fire instructors are able to demonstrate to firefighters the different stages of a structure from the beginning through extinguishment.

More importantly, firefighters will learn to identify unsafe and changing conditions that occur just prior to a flashover -- the moment when all combustible items in a room ignite.

“I applaud Twinsburg Fire Department for participating in this excellent, hands-on training to better prepare themselves for structure fires,” said State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers in a press release. “This advanced training gives these firefighters a better ability to protect the lives and property of the citizens they serve.”

The fire behavior lab seats up to 12 students at a time. Each crew goes through the training multiple times. Instructors are able to safely control the environment.

Because the lab is mobile, it can be delivered to firefighters at fire departments around the state with great flexibility for differing schedules and shifts.