Evansville, IN – The Evansville Fire Department has added a new training tool at its Training Facility, giving firefighters another hands-on way to improve their skills.
The new water mapping prop features transparent walls, ceilings and a roof, allowing firefighters to see how water moves through a structure while practicing hoseline advancement and hose stream techniques.
The prop will allow firefighters to compare different water application methods and better understand how effectively water moves through a structure during firefighting operations.
The materials for the training prop were purchased by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Fire & Public Safety Academy. Evansville is now home to one of only three DHS water mapping props in Indiana.
Several local organizations and individuals helped transform the delivered equipment into a completed training tool. Busler Enterprises and Tri-State Towing assisted with unloading and positioning the prop, while Indiana Cardinal donated plexiglass sheets.
A CMRCC representative coordinated work sessions involving carpenters and apprentice carpenters from the Central Midwest Carpenters Union. Personnel from Garmong Construction also volunteered their time.
They worked alongside EFD Rescue 1 B-Shift firefighters, recruit firefighters and Training Division instructors to assemble the prop and prepare it for use.
Members of EFD Recruit Academy #69-26 became the first firefighters to train on the completed equipment.
The fire department said the new training opportunity was made possible through the combined efforts of its community partners and personnel, adding that improved training ultimately helps firefighters provide better service to the community.
