A New Live Fire Training Facility to Prepare Firefighters for Real-World Challenges

Montgomery County is developing a new 8,425-square-foot live fire training facility at the Public Safety Training Campus in Conshohocken, PA. This state-of-the-art building will provide realistic, hands-on training using Class A (burn cribs) and Class B (gas-fired props), including stoves, sofas, cars, and rollover simulations. The facility features a multi-story Drill Tower with rowhome facades for search-and-rescue, burn rooms, balconies, and roof breach areas, supporting laddering, rappelling, and ventilation drills. A Single-Family Residential element will replicate home environments with attics, garages, and pitched roofs, equipped with thermal liners and smoke evacuation systems for safe burns. An optional Masonry Recovery Pavilion will offer a recovery space without adding impervious area. Recent progress includes stormwater management planning, propane sizing, and vendor evaluations. Next steps involve finalizing prop options, selecting burn liners, and completing geotechnical borings. This cutting-edge facility will enhance training realism and safety, preparing Montgomery County firefighters for the challenges they face every day. Stay tuned for more updates as the project moves forward!