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Committee approves purchase of Max 2 fire training system, citing training and safety benefits
Summary
The committee unanimously approved purchase of a Max 2 fire training system (approx. $19,010, shipping not included) that staff said will improve firefighter training, reduce labor and risk compared with the department's larger flashover simulator, and is budgeted in the 2026 capital plan.
The Finance and Taxation Committee approved the purchase of a Max 2 fire training system for the fire department, with a purchase price of about $19,009.53 (shipping not included) and an 8–10 week vendor lead time. Staff said the purchase is funded in the city's 2026 capital budget.
A fire department official told the committee the department currently uses a flashover simulator that requires eight to 10 people to set up, is dangerous to run repeatedly and stresses expensive gear. ‘‘The recommendation is actually for for the Max 2, not the Max 1,’’ the official said, adding that the Max 2 can be operated with as few as two people and can be run repeatedly at low cost using the vendor-recommended fuel loads; under those conditions the vendor offers a lifetime warranty on the prop and parts in the package being purchased.
The package staff proposed includes single- and two-story configurations, a garage module, a four-hour train-the-trainer session, and training materials such as video and PowerPoint; it also covers the instructors’ travel and fees for initial setup. Staff cautioned that shipping costs were not included in the quoted purchase price and must be added; the vendor would not give a final shipping figure at the time of the discussion.
Committee members asked whether the prop could be shared across departments; the fire official said staff could host trainings for other departments but would be reluctant to rent the unit out due to liability concerns. The official said the train-the-trainer component would allow the department to maintain the system as part of ongoing training for new and existing firefighters.
A committee member moved to approve the purchase and another seconded. Roll call votes recorded Alder Schaeffer, Alder Maguire and Alder Truhart voting “Aye” and the motion passed unanimously. Staff noted the purchase could be approved at committee based on the approval threshold and that the vendor lead time will determine delivery and scheduling of initial training.
