Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CFES) first responders are now better equipped to deal with forcible entry into buildings.

Crews have completed a yearly training forcible entry program which provided nearly 100 hours of additional training to increase and refine the technically demanding skills required in forcible entry for both residential and commercial buildings.

“Today’s house fires burn eight times faster and produce 200 times the amount of smoke that a fire would have 50 years ago. Even 30 years ago a person had up to an estimated eight minutes to exit their home from the time their smoke alarm went off. Today, a person has less than two minutes,” says Wayne Price, Director of Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. “This is a result of modern furnishings, contents and construction products in today’s homes. So, obviously minimizing response and access times is imperative.”

Recently Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services purchased a forcible door simulator to allow members to learn, practice and refine these skills. The prop has the ability to replicate left hand and right hand swinging doors as well as inward and outward facing doors with each type offering its own unique set of challenges.

“The addition of this valuable training prop ensures that each member of the department can practice and develop the required muscle memory necessary to perform these skills in time sensitive situations,” Price added.

City of Cranbrook

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