Fire & Rescue Training Institute receives $450,000 grant


LAWRENCE — Driving fire apparatus can be a dangerous task even under the best of conditions. Responding in all kinds of weather, with unpredictable traffic conditions and the stress of trying to get to an incident as quickly as possible can result in unexpected consequences.  There are almost 2,500 accidents in the United States involving fire apparatus every year. Up to 25 percent of firefighter line-of-duty deaths occur when responding to or returning from emergency incidents.

The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, a unit of KU Professional and Continuing Education, recently received a $450,000 grant to purchase two computer-based fire apparatus driving simulators. The grant was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The equipment is designed to simulate driving fire apparatus in emergency and non-emergency situations and in all weather conditions. These simulators will be mounted in a 26-foot trailer that will enable the institute to take the simulators to fire departments throughout Kansas for training. These simulators will supplement driver/operator training already provided by the institute and will be targeted to help reduce and eliminate fire apparatus accidents.

The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute was created in 1949 by Kansas law to provide training for the Kansas Fire Service. The institute is a dynamic organization providing training services through a Mobile Fire Academy concept. This concept is designed to accommodate local needs through training delivered anywhere in Kansas.

Photo: The Alabama Fire College utilizes a trailer equipped with a driving simulator, similar to the type ordered by KU. Image courtesy Alabama Fire College.

Tue, 07/28/2015

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Glenn Pribbenow

Media Contacts

Glenn Pribbenow

Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute

785-864-9199