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San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
Fire Training Division


Donate a Structure Program


 

Firefighter training is a unique task in and of itself, and the members of the San Ramon Valley Fire Training Division are constantly seeking new ways to train our firefighters. The Donate a Structure Program provides recruit, career, and volunteer firefighters with a realistic training atmosphere of an actual working residential fire environment while remaining a "real time" controlled training exercise.    

     
     

         
There are three types of training we use donated buildings for:

  • Non-destructive (search and rescue training)

  • Destructive (breaching walls, cutting holes in roofs, etc.)

  • Burn (fire suppression activities – controlled safe live firefighting)

 

Types of valuable training:

  • Ventilation by cutting holes in the roof

  • Rescue after earthquake damage to floors and support beams

  • Search and Rescue using our Thermal Imaging camera in heavy smoke conditions

  • Simulated rescue after fire damage to stairs, doors, windows, etc

  • Breaching of walls, ceilings and windows for discovering fire extension or a simulated emergency exit of the building.

        


Buildings that are most sought after are abandoned and vacant:
  • Single family residences
  • Multi-family residences
  • One or two-story apartment buildings
  • Schools
  • Strip shopping centers
  • Large "Big Box" facilities (grocery stores, hardware stores, commercial buildings)
Please Note: Documentation will be required confirming that there is no insurance on the structure and that the structure is free of asbestos.


 

Donated structures that are slated for demolition are acquired after they have met certain criteria and have been inspected for structural stability.  The NFPA 1403 standard is always followed during any live burn training.  Ask your accountant about IRS form 8283 for a possible tax benefit. 


Crews getting ready to enter structure


Exterior Safety Crew or RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) Team


Emergency exit training
 

For more information please contact Division Chief Derek Krause at:
DKrause at srvfire.ca.gov