First Posted: 5/6/2013
The Franklin Township Fire Company showcased its new training facility upgrade to the public at an open house on May 5.
Maureen Oremus, first assistant chief, said the event gave the community a chance to see the new triaining facility and learn about what services are available there.
The facility includes a 40 by 60 foot hall that seats more than 200 people and can be rented for weddings or other events. The company also plans to use the facility for a wide range of training like a session held recently on how to use breathing apparatus.
In the near future, there will be vehicle rescue training, propane gas training and “maze” training where firefighters crawl through a dark building tro rescue victims.
Second Assistant Chief Doug Farr applied for a state grant used to fund the upgrades and the ladies axuiliary contributed a large sum of money.
With 11 active members and six junior members, the company serves more than 2,000 homes within a 16-mile radius in the Back Mountain. It handled more than 130 calls last year.
The grant money was used for the facility upgrade because the ocmpany’s equipment is paid off at this time. It currently has one tanker, a brush truck, one engine and a mini pumper. The company also has a “smokehouse” it uses to train visitors how to survive in a burning building.
