Crime & Safety

Firefighters Conduct Live Fire Training in Vienna

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal will test a new linear heat detector.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department crews will conduct live fire training on Thursday in Vienna. 

During this training, the Office of the Fire Marshal and Virginia Sprinkler Corporation, Inc. will test a linear heat detector designed to alert occupants inside a structure to an outside fire, according to the Fire and Rescue Department.

Fire crews will use several scenarios in testing the linear heat detector. The detector will be placed underneath existing siding, then near the soffit and eaves of the structure, and finally in the attic area. 

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fairfax County has recently seen an increase in fires starting from the outside of a structure and quickly moving inside the structure with little or no warning. Oftentimes, occupants are unaware the fire has extended up the siding, into the attic, and then spreading to all sides, including downward, according to the Fire Department. An outside alert system could provide early warning for occupants, potentially saving lives. 

For more than 25 years, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Acquired Structure Program has been a key training program, allowing firefighters to train in “real world” training scenarios and evolutions. The program is an agreement between the property owner and the department, allowing the structure to be used for training.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Personnel operate under the guidelines of National Fire Protection Association 1403 guidelines for live fire training, ensuring the safety of residents and firefighters. 

The live fire training and linear heat detector tests will take place Thursday at 9 a.m. at 915 Frederick Street SW, Vienna. 


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