Avon, CT - Members of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department conducted hands-on forcible entry training in Avon, Hartford County, Connecticut, using the department’s dedicated training prop to improve access skills critical for interior firefighting operations.

On August 8, 2026, firefighters worked through a series of controlled evolutions designed to simulate real-world entry challenges, practicing both inward- and outward-swinging door scenarios using single-firefighter and two-firefighter techniques.

Training focused on proper tool use and technique, including Halligan bars, axes, and roof hooks, with emphasis on gaining purchase, creating effective gaps, and applying controlled force to defeat reinforced entry points. Crews also practiced floor sweeping and entry-area clearing before advancing, reinforcing situational awareness upon entry.

Firefighters worked on increasing mechanical advantage when additional force was required, ensuring efficient and safe entry under realistic resistance conditions. Communication was a key focus, with one member directing operations while the second executed coordinated strikes and tool placement as part of a structured team approach.

The training prop was intentionally designed to be more resistant than standard doors, allowing members to build confidence, refine technique, and improve coordination under demanding conditions.

Throughout the exercise, crews reinforced key operational principles such as flow path awareness and entry control, ensuring safer interior advancement during real incidents where rapid access can be critical to life safety and fire suppression operations.