MOFD firefighter Barreto enters the trailer Photo?Ohlen Alexander

A recently acquired 53-foot long, 416 total square foot, two-story, mobile burn trailer will allow Moraga Orinda Fire District (MOFD) firefighters to enhance their firefighting skills in live fire situations.

"Firefighters need continuous and realistic structure fire training in as controlled environment as possible," said MOFD Battalion Chief Randy Trumpf.

Getting the trailer was a cooperative effort between MOFD, El Cerrito Fire Department and East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department. "El Cerrito Fire Department developed a training plan which included the purchase of a live fire, multi-training simulator," said Trumpf.

According to Trumpf, El Cerrito Fire contacted local fire districts to determine interest in participating in a regional grant process. These Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants provide for the type of equipment, such as the Multi-Trainer, that can be shared by several fire agencies.

Serving as the lead agency, Trumpf said El Cerrito Fire District filed for a FEMA grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, with MOFD and East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department as partners for the purchase of the trainer. In the end, each fire department would pay $23,200 toward the cost of the burn trailer, with the remaining $278,400 funded by FEMA. The trailer's time, Trumpf said, will be split between the three agencies.

The burn trailer arrived at MOFD's station 41 in early February and was toured by the MOFD Board of Directors during their meeting on March 17. "I am thrilled by the acquisition of this new trailer as it is one more step in ensuring our firefighters are well prepared to safely respond to community emergencies," said Board President Frank Sperling.

Before the trailer was purchased, Trumpf said MOFD firefighters received live fire training in a recruit academy or at the Livermore/Pleasanton Fire Training Facility. "This Multi-Trainer allows us the ability to enhance valuable firefighting and rescue skills within our Fire District and on a regular basis," he noted.

The 'Fireflash Series' burn trailer from Fireblast 451, Inc., located in Riverside, California, includes multiple-room configurations, a flashover/rollover simulation burner and operator control room with observation.

According to Trumpf, a variety of firefighting exercises can be completed with the burn trailer, such as search and rescue, second story rescue and firefighter's 'get out alive' training.

The trailer will spend time at all three fire departments. Trumpf said that MOFD plans to utilize the Multi-Trainer in the spring and fall of this year for about two months each time.