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    Train Your Department

    Live Fire Trainings

    Training can be as dangerous as a real emergency event. Training should be conducted by educated personnel who are trained, evaluated, and certified for the delivery of live-fire training. 

    Overview

    Appropriate planning and preparation must be done to ensure the safety of all participants. All students must have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely participate.

    Risks

    Improperly managed live-fire training might result in:

    • Unintentional injuries and/or deaths

    • Serious liability issues for involved organizations and individuals

    • Significant fines levied against the fire organizations

    Requirements

    Fire Extinguisher Training

    Provide a 10-day notification to your Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regional office for approval.

    Department of Environment Protection Regional Offices

    Vehicle Fire Training

    Provide a 10-day notification to your Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regional office for approval.

    Get a clearance showing there are no liens on the vehicle.

    Strip the vehicle of all plastic, rubber, fluids (gas, oil, transmission oil, etc.), and pressurized cylinders (lift cylinders, bumper shock suppressors, airbag inflators, etc.).

    The Department of Environmental Protection might request to inspect the vehicle before giving approval.

    Department of Environment Protection Regional Offices

    Acquired Structure Exercises 

    Acquired structures exercises must be an approved State Fire Academy Structural Burn Session Course. They cannot be accomplished as a company-level burn.

    Acquired structures must be sponsored by an educational training agency or the Fire Academy.

    Exercises involving acquired structures  require the completion of the Department of Environmental Protection's Application for Open Burning Exception for Fire Fighting Instruction, 2700-PM-BAQ0002 Rev. 9/2019.

    In addition to theapplication, we require the following supporting documentation:

    • Permission from the property owner, including a letter stating that insurance on the structure is canceled.
    • Asbestos sampling/testing and, if required, completed remediation of ssbestos-containing materials.
    • Prior to approval, an inspection of the property will be conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Air Quality to ensure that all unauthorized materials (furniture, trash, chemicals, fuel oil, etc.) and pressure vessels (hot water heaters, well pressure tanks, fuel oil tanks, etc.) have been removed.
    • The Department of Environmental Protection might also require that shingle roofing and siding be removed.
    Educational Training Agencies (PDF)
    Open Burning Exception Application

    Policy

    View the Live Fire Suppression Policy.

    Fire Policy