Building training props is part of firefighting. Whereas that is certainly a commonality between all departments the implementation of what props are built and how they are built etc.. varies considerably and is as unique as each department. Defined training props are specialized structures that simulate conditions, obstacles, and hazards of real-world emergencies.

Props can teach and reinforce essential skills like forcible entry, search/rescue, mask confidence, ventilation, and hose handling. Obviously, a number of factors influence prop construction. These would include department finances, location (urban vs rural), the presence of a junior firefighting program and the types of calls to name a few.

The first and most important consideration when building training props is firefighter safety. This is non- negotiable. NFPA 1400 is set to replace individual standards of 1402 and 1403 and do provide training safety guidance although they are more specific to live fire drills. Because safety is paramount there are several props that should be purchased (as opposed to building them) such as any gas emergency/hazmat simulations, a forcible entry door and flashover/burn simulators to name a few. When talking about prop safety you must also consider placement and set up relative to safety hose lines and possibly having an EMT on site.

To start, building a prop where safety is arguably more vital would be a maze. Firefighters navigating a maze are typically blacked out (which simulates smokey conditions) and must crawl to safety through a series of narrow channels, turns and stairs while on air. They may also experience wires or other obstacles within the maze that can also cause anxiety.

A well-built maze will have instructors having access to firefighters at all points throughout the maze. This is because mazes are frequently used in firefighter 1 courses and for junior firefighters. Being inexperienced and more prone to needing guidance it is important that instructors be able to visually see, touch and talk to firefighters as they go through.

Props should also be relevant and purposeful for your department. There are some props that fit this description across the board such as an escape window or the aforementioned maze. Another all- purpose prop is the disentanglement box which is simply an 8 x 4-foot box with bars, wires and other obstacles throughout. In spite of the short distance, it is still an excellent method for teaching firefighters how to untangle themselves or not get tangled in the first place and not press the panic button.

With all that said there are also props that are relevant based on the types of calls your department typically gets and/or the types of structures that are in the community you serve. For example, if your district has several office buildings constructing a Denver drill prop may be in order. Even if your district does not warrant this kind of prop a mutual aid district might so it’s important to coordinate with neighboring districts and departments.

Since any props are likely going to be built from the ground up that means that they can potentially be modified to allow to be more easily put together, taken apart and put away in storage. By all means if your department has the storage that is great. However, if space is going to be a problem, then again coordination is key. Combining the storage issue and mutual aid one other point to consider is adding to any agreement would be the storage, access and use of any props. The first department I joined did not have a wall to train and qualify for bailouts but a neighboring district did and we routinely used that prop (as an aside New York State is the only state that requires a bailout qualification).

The question then becomes how to obtain the materials for all the props you want to build. If you are looking to buy new lumber financial approval may be the first step although most wooden props aren’t that expensive to build (under $300). Consider asking for donations of materials as there may not be the need to buy. In my experience many local and chain hardware stores will jump at the chance to assist a local fire department full well knowing in the long run it also benefits them from a fire safety standpoint but also from a public relations angle as well.

Additionally, there are grants that will assist with purchasing new supplies the downside of which would be writing a grant application. Your town Dept of Public Works (DPW) may also be willing to donate a culvert tube for pack escape drills or as part of a mask confidence course. Don’t forget any online sites that advertise free supplies – I literally have 50 pallets at my house being used in various capacities all of which I have gotten free from Facebook Marketplace or Craigs List and all of which could be re-purposed to build a training prop. Last but not least simply keep your eyes and ears open as some departments clean house and get rid of stored unused equipment as their needs evolve and change.

But what about some plans for some of the more typical props? The Denver drill prop is really only one prop that has specific dimensions. All others can vary taking into consideration department needs and logistics. Retired fire Captain Dale Pekel kindly provided the following blueprints:

Wall Prop:

chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1K evfec2YH81xr1LRYz9jQYunX4AfIpTb&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list

Pitched Roof:

chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1Q mGYzq3gBF16JggrXVx2vOl12YmRzF4v&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list

Denver Hallway:

chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1IP Q1Y92bbY41hfm9Shtc0fFi9QW_MTOn&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list

Bailout prop with Deck and Denver Attachment:

chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1ai jkSAVwJM5YY2Tc1Nu7IbF2E8-NOpwK&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list

Hardware List for these four props: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hnc5RHAGygpOwJ- eXCagstMBi_TBQ3Yg/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=115219697643576453793&rtpof=true

This link has plans for a wall breach, disentanglement box and window prop: Layout 1 (All links are posted on the website www.1RBN.com)

Other training props such as a mask confidence course, mayday/floor Collapse and a maze can vary considerably so it might be best to start online searches for one where even the video can provide enough guidance. Stay safe and get building!