Bloomington residents will soon have access to in-depth lessons on how to prevent emergencies.
The City of Bloomington has approved the purchase of a fire safety simulator from JHB Group. It will consist of a mobile trailer with indoor and outdoor stations to teach safe practices in everyday situations such as cooking, dealing with electrical wires and using propane.
The fire simulator costs $180,434. The city is receiving a grant from State Farm for $60,000 and a donation from the city's Foreign Fire Board for $30,100 to cover approximately half the cost.
Frank Friend, fire captain for the Bloomington Fire Department, said the chance to prevent future emergencies will save the city money in the long run by the department using its equipment less often.
“It’s the fires that we’re trying to prevent versus the ones that we’re trying to fight,” said Friend.
The trailer also will be able to help teach things like how to safely shut water and gas off, safely fix a blown fuse or be safe around household chemicals.
“You look at those things, and they don’t necessarily have to equate to a fire, but they have everything to do with what we do with our business,” said Friend.
The mobile trailer wil be accessible to people of all ages and degrees of mobility, allowing the simulator to be available to those at the highest risk of needing emergency services.
“If you look at what the kids are doing these days on their phone and in gaming, the fire department can no longer sustain a good education value by passing out a coloring book and a pencil, it’s just not working,” said Friend. “So we’re looking for more ways to be interactive and more up-to-date.”
Teaching how to act during severe weather also is an important aspect of the trailer. It uses a television that gives severe weather updates that can be expected in McLean County, followed by floor shaking, lightning or other aspects of a storm, depending on the situation.
“Having those conversations, it kind of falls on deaf ears until you immerse someone in that situation,” said Friend.
Approval of the purchase was granted by the city council during its July 8 meeting. Friend said construction of the simulator is underway, but is expected to be completed by next summer.
