Ventnor City Firefighters practice cutting through the roof of Firehouse No. 2 on Wellington Avenue.
VENTNOR - Take a good look because it won't be there for long. The Ventnor City Fire Department took advantage of the soon-to-be-demolished Firehouse No. 2 on Wellington Avenue April 30, and conducted firefighter training at the building.
The firehouse is slated to be demolished next week to make way for a brand new firehouse, which will be built at the site. A temporary structure was erected on the 300-block of N. Surrey Avenue to house the department while the new structure is under construction.
On Tuesday, firefighters practiced cutting through the roof of the building, just like they would if there were a real fire in the city.
Fabbri Builders, Inc. of Vineland was awarded a a $3.17 million contract to build the new firehouse, which will be ADA compliant and meet National Fire Protection Association requirements.
The pre-cast concrete structure will be built to withstand a 500-year storm as per FEMA standards, and will be able to house firefighters and the public during emergencies. It will serve the city for the next 80 to 100 years, Chief Michael Cahill said.
Firefighters practiced the physical skills required to ventilate a fire on a structure with a pitched roof using power saws on elevated and inclined surfaces.
"This training allows our training staff to evaluate members and instruct our firefighters in the most effective methods of tool use, safety and to expedite operations in hazardous situations," Cahill said. "These skills can only be practiced on an acquired or a soon to be demolished structure as they create damage to the structure (large holes) and are cost prohibitive."
The skill is vital to the safety of firefighters and victims of fire, he said.
Venting a roof allows heat up to 1,300 degrees and smoke to escape to the exterior of a building and therefore improves conditions for firefighters, he said.
"The relief of the smoke and heat also creates a more survivable atmosphere for possible trapped victims," Cahill said.
