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Toronto expands live-fire training capabilities for firefighters with new facility and equipment

May 29, 2023, Toronto – Toronto has unveiled the city’s new live-fire training facility and equipment.

The new facility, called the Dräger Phase 5, provides live-fire training in a multi-story, multi-fire environment for firefighters.

Fires today are burning faster and hotter than they ever have before. Firefighters face challenges brought on by factors such as lightweight construction and furnishings made from synthetic materials that contribute to a growing need for investments in new and modern firefighter training facilities that provide realistic fire conditions and scenarios.

Toronto Fire Services worked with vendor engineers to design a structure that allows for more than 12 unique fire-training scenarios, such as basement fires, to enhance and expand on fire fighting techniques used in Toronto.

The new facility also includes improved safety features for both instructors and firefighters during live training exercises, including consistent and proper fuel loading to manage fire intensity and reduce risks during training, consistent fuel package monitoring to ensure gas levels remain safe, ventilation controls, and a temperature monitoring system.

These new training systems enhance live-fire training and will complement the existing suite of propane-fuelled, purpose-built concrete burn houses and training props that Toronto Fire Services currently operates.

“The addition of these important tools is an important component of our ever-evolving Toronto Fire Services training program,” said Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg in a press release. “The delivery of world-class fire protection demands leading edge training, and these tools provide us with the resources we require to continue to ensure that our dedicated firefighters are well prepared for the challenges they face each day, across our city.”