O’Fallon Fire Protection District Donates Burn Trailer to University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute

The University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) recently received a donation from the O’Fallon Fire Protection District of a Mobile Structural Firefighting Training Simulator.

The structural training unit (MTU) is designed to provide realistic fire, and search and rescue training. The unit was originally purchased through a 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
MU FRTI Director Kevin Zumwalt said, “The unit will support NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Level I and II training and certification testing throughout the state of Missouri. This will enable firefighters to gain competency in essential fire service skills in order to develop or enhance their capabilities to serve their communities. This training will produce safer firefighters and safer communities, thereby reducing the loss of life and property from fire and other emergencies.”
O’Fallon Fire Protection District Chief Tom Vineyard said, “The original intent of the MTU was to train district firefighters and surrounding departments in structural firefighting and search and rescue scenarios. Due to neighboring departments recent construction of fixed training facilities, the need for our mobile prop has diminished.” Chief Vineyard further said, “it was a logical decision to donate this unit to MU FRTI as they will be able to continue the intent of training firefighters statewide.”
The O’Fallon Fire Protection District has 5 stations and an Insurance (I.S.O.) Town Class 4 Rating and is Internationally Accredited through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. It is staffed by 65 paid employees, 12 reserve and 20 junior firefighters, serving a residential population of well over 85,000 in an area of 67 square miles in St. Charles county. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is one of the fastest growing fire districts in Missouri according to state officials.
MU FRTI is an Institute of the University of Missouri Extension and is charged with the responsibility of providing comprehensive continuing professional education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. Last year over 173,000 student instructional hours were delivered in training emergency first responders.