TCFD REQUESTING HELP: VACANT/ABANDONED BUILDINGS FOR TRAINING DRILLS.

The Traverse City Fire Department is asking property owners within the City of Traverse City who may have a structure that is abandoned and/or ready to be demolished to allow TCFD Firefighters to conduct training in it.

There are 2 types of training that the TCFD performs in these buildings:

Ø Non-destructive training: Search and Rescue drills using training smoke machine.

If a property owner has a vacant structure that he/she would like to donate for use by the fire department, but doesn't want the building destroyed, it can be requested that the building be used for only non-destructive training.

Ø Destructive: Breaching walls, roofs, ceilings, knocking out windows, use of water, hand tools, power tools, etc.

If a property owner has a vacant structure that is scheduled for demolition, the fire department would be grateful to use it for destructive training.

The Traverse City Fire Department needs abandoned/vacant buildings for these different types of training. The best structures for fire fighter training are ones that have low appeal for potential tenants/buyers. Buildings that are most sought after are:

Ø Single family residences

Ø Multi-family residences

Ø One or two story apartment buildings

Ø Strip shopping centers

Ø Large "Big Box" facilities (commercial-type buildings, factories, stores, etc.)

Criteria for the properties include a completed asbestos survey (required prior to demolition), and a proof of NO insurance.

Anyone wishing to help the TCFD with the use of their structure should contact:

Lt. Marco Marcantoni
TCFD Training Officer
(231) 922-4930, ext. 7