A Training Simulator Helps Libby Firefighters Prepare and Protect

Each year Montana firefighters must participate in a series of trainings that prepare them for dangerous infernos. New firefighters with the Libby Volunteer Fire Department must complete “flashover trainings” at least six times per year, while experienced volunteers must do them two to three times annually. It’s a perpetual challenge for the Libby Volunteer Fire Department—which as its name suggests is made up of entirely volunteers except the fire chief—to shell out the thousands of dollars needed to send Libby’s firefighters to Billings, where Montana’s only flashover simulator is located. To address the problem, Libby’s fire chief contacted LOR with the idea to create a local training facility. LOR’s funding will help the Libby Volunteer Fire Department purchase two shipping containers, fire bricks, and other supplies to make a flashover simulator. When completed, the new training facility will serve Libby’s firefighters as well as those from surrounding communities.