The Billings Fire Department is Opening a New Training Facility in Cooperation with Billings Logan International Airport

For the first time in more than seven years, the Billings Fire Department will have access to a new training facility.

The Fire Department is opening a new, $85,000 facility in cooperation with the Billings Logan International Airport. The facility is located on airport property and enhances the existing training facility at this location, according to Fire Chief Paul Dextras.

The new training center was made possible through a creative approach that included the use of 11 metal cargo containers of various sizes. They were stacked and configured to allow for controlled but live fire training.

This is a significant savings over purchasing pre-engineered facilities that range from $300,000 to $500,000, Matt Hoppel, training officer for the Billings Fire Department, told Townsquare Media.

"A lot of sweat equity was put into this facility from Billings Firefighters and Logan International Airport Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters (ARFF)," Hoppel said.

This cost-effective approach to building a fire training facility allows the ARFF and the Billings Fire Department to meet all the benchmarks associated with basic and advanced fire training requirements, according to Dextras.

In addition to the actual facility, two containers were modified to simulate a fire flashover situation. This prop provides an outstanding opportunity for firefighters to witness the dynamic stages of a fire and learn what to expect in the various and critical stages of fire development, Dextras said.

The best training firefighters can receive is to train in the conditions in which they work, Hoppel said.

"Having the facility available to us to train under smoke and heat conditions allows us to become better at what we do in so many ways," Hoppel said. "This can help the public feel better protected knowing that we are regularly training in this environment and will be very proficient should they need us for any emergency. We prefer our training to occur on our training ground and not at their emergency."

The ability to replicate training activities such as incident command, fire attack, search and rescue, and ventilation skills, are a few of the capabilities of this low-cost facility, according to Dextras' news re. Future facility projects include the installation of a sprinkler system and additional props associated with special rescue capabilities.