Emergency Response Training Center
The Hay River Volunteer Fire Department constructed the Emergency Response Training Facility in 1995/96. This was a major undertaking and took the Department over 2 years to complete. The only construction not completed by the Fire Department was the steel, and concrete work for the base of the Fire Tower.
The finances for this project were secured from infrastructures and were a grant in the amount of $250,000.00. The greatest proportion of the money was spent on the purchase of the materials for the Tower itself ($225,000.00) and what ever left over money there was, was used for the balance of construction.
Courses SponsoredFIRST AID & CPR R.H.I.O.T. MARINE S.A.R LEVEL 1 C.A.R.S. EXTRICATION MOULAUGE ICE RESCUE BASIC FIRE OFFICER TRAINING C.P.I. HAZARDOUS GOODS TRAINING FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING ******************************************************** The Facilities 3 Story Burn Tower with Annex
The Tower itself was purchased from Werner Padgett & Herbison who subcontracted a Canadian company Behlen Industries to produce the steel panels and frames used in the structure itself. Werner Padgett & Herbison out of the US supplied the fireproof panels (padgenite).
The project managers for the construction of the Tower were our own Fire Chief Ross Potter and Captain Terry Cook and the balance of labor was completed by Fire Department personnel.
The Tower itself has 2 burn rooms, one in the annex and one on the second story. With this configuration we are able to practice High Rise attacks, Basement attacks, and standard Fireground situations. It is also complemented by a ventilation cut out and rope rescue tie downs.
Training Room
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The training room was originally a trailer that was used by the Government of the Northwest Territories as a housing unit, which was surplused, and we were able to secure for the grand sum of $1.00. We did however find out why the building was surplused when one of our fire fighters, while cleaning snow off the roof, put his foot through it. This created a raft of other problems which had to be dealt with.
Project Manager Captain Leon Bouchard came to the rescue and next thing we knew we had totally re-framed the walls of the entire building, installed both male and female bathrooms, installed all new electrical, new siding, kitchen area and a new roof. The Training room now is 20 x 40 feet and is quite comfortable for about 18 people to train in.
Smoke HouseThe Smoke House is a typical Mobile Home complete with all fixtures, washer, dryer, fridge, stove and typical furniture that would be found at a trailer park. We are able to simulate fires in a trailer once we fill the unit with smoke. This has worked well for us when doing basic fire fighter training as we don’t want to submit new fire fighters to the Tower until they are totally comfortable with their turn-out gear and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.
Propane Tree
A propane tree was installed in the later part of 1996 to simulate LPG Fires. We were unable to set up any type of aircraft simulator or Class B fire fighting due to Environmental issues.
Fire Extinguisher Training Area
The Fire Extinguisher Area comprises of a concrete pad which is about 15’ by 30’ and is supplemented with 5 steel burn trays that can be set up in various configurations. The area is generally used for public awareness training. All public awareness training is supplied at no charge other than powder to companies, clubs and service organizations through out the area.
Extrication Field
The Extrication Field is a large area where we are able to simulate Motor Vehicle Accidents. Scenarios are set up with the use of scrapped cars and trucks where our members can practice their skills at removing victims from MVAs in a safe environment.
With the aid of Fyretech out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories we were able to train our first competition team at this site.
Rail Car
The Rail Car was installed to provide us an area where Hazardous Materials training could take place. This unit will also be modified to enable us to provide confined space entry training as time goes on.
MV Pelican Rapids
The MV Pelican Rapids is a Vessel of approximately 100’ in length which when completed will be used for Marine Fire Fighting Training. The Vessel was donated to us by Northern Transportation Company Limited in November of 1998 and we hope to have this part of the facility operational by August of 1999.
