The Mauldin Fire Department is utilizing a new digital fire extinguisher training system that replaces actual fire extinguishers and allows for safer, cleaner and more efficient training. The Bluetooth-equipped system consists of an LED panel that displays digital flames and a laser training extinguisher that interacts with sensors embedded in the panel. The lasers simulate the discharge of an actual extinguisher, eliminating the hazards associated with conventional fire extinguisher training and making it easy to perform multiple trainings. After the “fire” is extinguished, the panel displays the number of seconds it took for the trainee to put the fire out.
The equipment purchase was made possible by a $15,465 donation from BASF, one of the Mauldin Fire Department’s Fire Safe Community partners.
“We are incredibly grateful to BASF for their continued support and shared commitment to public safety,” said Fire Chief Brian McHone. “This donation not only strengthens our longstanding partnership with BASF, but it also paves the way for expanded training opportunities for other businesses and community groups throughout Mauldin. This innovative tool will allow us to provide realistic, hands-on training to the public on the proper use of a fire extinguisher during an emergency.”
The Mauldin Fire Department performs fire extinguisher training at area businesses upon request. Fire officials say there are several advantages to the new system, including being able to conduct training indoors in a safer manner and eliminating the need for cleanup.
“Before we got this prop, we’d have to take a drum and put paper in it, light it on fire and the trainee would put it out with a real fire extinguisher. Then we’d have to reset that after each person, and start again,” said Fire Marshal Don Hall. “Now, it’s much safer, because you’re not dealing with real fire, we can train indoors, and there’s no cleanup involved. We can teach children and senior citizens with this new system, and we can bring it to community events. So this gives us a lot more versatility.”
Hall said the new prop will also help the department meet the criteria for the Fire Safe Community Award, which they’ve earned for the last four years.
Officials also noted that although there is a significant upfront cost, the training system saves money over time by eliminating the need to purchase multiple fire extinguishers for each training.
“If we’re training 50 people at a time, that would be 30 to 50 fire extinguishers that we would need to bring, and each of those cost anywhere from $30 to $50 dollars apiece,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Iannazzone. “So although this was a larger upfront cost, in the long run, it’s going to end up saving money, and we’re thankful to BASF for making this purchase possible.”
BASF has an active partnership with the Mauldin Fire Department and has donated towards equipment for MFD in the past. With the digital training system, BASF saw an opportunity to partner with the fire department in a way that would minimize risk during trainings at the BASF facility while benefiting the community.
“We are proud to support the Mauldin Fire Department in their efforts to provide innovative and effective training solutions,” said Gerald Murphy, site director for BASF’s Mauldin and White Stone sites. “This cutting-edge technology not only enhances safety but also demonstrates BASF’s commitment to the well-being of our employees and the wider community.”
The Mauldin Fire Department will be conducting fire extinguisher training for BASF employees on July 18 at noon at the BASF facility at 1520 Old Stage Rd in Mauldin. Media are invited to attend and see the digital training system in action.
Any media who wish to attend the training are asked to RSVP to Communications Manager Lauren Carter at (864) 608-5085 or lcarter@mauldincitysc.com.
