In what Lincoln County EMA Director Tim Pellerin is calling a tremendous asset for the county, a brand new multi-function fire-training trailer arrived in Wiscasset July 11.
The $194,000 structure, financed through a grant and generous donations, Pellerin said, will be used to train area firefighters and other emergency personnel. In total the unit has 11 different functions, a significant upgrade from the previous burn building not far from the Wiscasset Transfer Station.
The yellow and red structure is equipped with a variety of different pieces meant to realistically simulate a burning home or building.
“The trailer has things like window and ventilation roof props,” said Pellerin during a tour of the trailer July 12. “It’s a tremendous training tool.”
The trailer is the only one of its kind north of Massachusetts, said Pellerin, and features interchangeable floors along with areas meant to recreate the actual logistical problems in fighting live fires.
The trailer will be available at no cost to Lincoln County fire departments.
“As far as training you can do pretty much anything,” Pellerin said. “You could do ladders, ventilation, attic fires, basement fires and search and rescue. It gives you real smoke and real heat.”
If taken care of properly, the trailer will last upwards of 20 years, Pellerin said.
“We’re really hoping to enhance fire training and knowledge and also safety for the county with an eye toward the state,” Pellerin said.
In the past, Lincoln County firefighters had traveled to Rockland County in New York for mandatory training. The arrival of the trailer will effectively end those trips resulting in a small but meaningful savings.
“In fact I got the idea for this on the way back from one of those trips three years ago,” Pellerin said. “I was talking about it with Chief (Wally) Morris of Jefferson and three years later it’s here.”
Also included in the delivery was a propane tree. The “tree” is equipped with holes that allow propane to ignite and create a realistic fire scenario.
Pellerin said the trailer is a perfect example of how unique and cooperative area firefighters are in the county.
“This is an excellent example of teamwork,” said Pellerin. “Countless individuals put a lot of time and effort into this. What a great asset for our county.”
