What's Happening in Chandler, AZ…

Chandler firefighters, as well as members of other departments, will be training under more realistic conditions beginning early next year.

The enhanced training, which includes real fire, is possible because of the recent completion of a Class-A burn tower in south Chandler, which is scheduled to open next January.

At present, Chandler uses white smoke generated by propane in its training sessions, which take place in a six-story structure constructed in 1998. The new burn tower has the capability of allowing the fire department to ignite furniture and similar items, most of which produce black smoke, mimicking the type of situation most firefighters face.

Tom Dwiggins, Chandler's Fire Chief, said it is extremely difficult to simulate the conditions found in a real fire unless those conditions are used in training, hence the idea of using real flames.

The rectangular burn tower comprises 9,000 square feet. Each of the four sides is designed to resemble various types of property found in Chandler. The south wall is a carport that will be used to train people how to fight garage fires, while the east wall resembles an apartment complex. The tower also has a basement to train firefighters how to fight cellar fires, as well as a space that replicates big-box stores.

Agencies like this could benefit by working with flyer printing companies, which can create mailers to explain to residents how improvements will enhance their safety.