Halifax firefighters train with LED screens and smoke machines

New technology is helping Halifax firefighters use surplus municipal properties to train in unfamiliar settings. 

Usually, training takes place in cement structures owned by the fire service. The layout is always the same for each training session. Since crews respond to nearly every type of building in the city, firefighters appreciate the chance to train in new venues.

The city-owned building at 30 Caledonia Road in Dartmouth is boarded up and slated to be demolished. But since it's still structurally sound, the city is offering it to the fire service to use.

"We are not going to light it on fire," said Robert Belliveau, a training officer with Halifax Fire and Emergency. 

Rather than train with real fire — which for most buildings, would be a one-time exercise — crews use a special waterproof panel with a bright orange LED screen. 

The panel mimics the look and sound of a fire, and can sense how much water firefighters spray at it. It allows trainers to vary the difficulty level and repeat the exercises for multiple teams.

Firefighter Conor Scott said variety helps. 

"It's a little something we've never seen before," he said. "It definitely makes you adjust a little bit more. It's really good."

Firefighters will be training at 30 Caledonia Road for approximately six weeks. The facility may also then be used by Halifax Regional Police for training. 

There is no set timeline for when the city may demolish the site and offer it up for redevelopment.