The future of training for the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department is nearly upon them.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Clements, who retired in June, current Assistant Chief Jason Patrick and firefighter Bruce Wells went to Indianapolis, Indiana, three years ago to talk about training “props,” which aren’t buildings but can simulate buildings for training purposes. This visit inspired Clements to pursue the department’s own prop, and now, within months, the prop will be ready to use.
Patrick said Clements’ vision being so close to reality could serve the department’s training needs for quite some time.
“The man who ran the class had his prop for roughly 20 years and uses it weekly,” Patrick said. “And it’s still up and running. It will last for many years as long as the guys take care of it properly, which of course there’s no doubt we’re going to do that.”