Last year (2016) The Kimberton FD joined forces with Valley Forge, Ridge and Phoenixville in writing a 'Regional' Federal Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant. In early 2017 we were notified that our request was granted in the first round of awards. The unit was built by Fire Vent LLC in Nevada. After 4 months of construction, the unit was delivered in late September. Each department sent select crew members to an orientation, where they learned how to set up the training prop. The Fire Vent prop is designed to allow firefighters to train on a simulated roof, and allow them to actually cut the roof as they would in a real fire. The roof can be tilted to simulate a steep angle to a simple flat roof. It is capable (through the use of a smoke machine) to allow smoke to vent out of the hole cut in the roof, making visibility more difficult.

The unit is 20' X 12' and equipped to be towed to individual fire stations or locations. It has outriggers for stabilization, engineered for live loads of 1800 lbs, high wind speeds, hydraulically controlled pitches, storage boxes, safety chains around perimeter, and lighting for night time operations. The prop has an overhead door cutting station for practicing on residential and commercial roll-up style doors, the smoke machine capabilities, 16 platform lights, a firefighter bail out simulator (which allows crews to practice emergency bailouts of a window), and ladders (so crews can keep fire units may keep ladders on the apparatus for calls). The package also includes a ventilation training class for 40 firefighters over a 2 day program.

The Federal grant will cover 90% of the purchase. Volunteers will be required to pay for the last 10% of this grant. The four (4) departments will divide that amount.