The Fire District used to run the Fire Academy completely out of the Fire Station, but since 2002 the purchase of 0.63 acres just 300' north of the fire station has allowed us to move just about all the hands on training to that location. The property contains an old abandoned building that used to be the Pine Valley Community Center back in the 40's. improvements made to the property have been completely fencing in the property and a few concrete pads to support the Fireblast burn trailer and Vehicle Fire prop which were both awarded through the Firefighters Assistance Grant $308,000 from FEMA in 2003. A recently awarded grant of $33,000 from OES has enabled us to purchase a 24'W x 60'L modular building to be placed on the property and be used as a class room.(these grants would not have been possible without the help of past Fire Chief Bret Davidson).

The Fireblast Trailer is a Portable Training Unit by Fireblast 451. The Trainer consists of a 102" wide, 52' long "18-wheeler" trailer and is transported using a semi-tractor. Inside the trainer there are three rooms with moveable walls, an artificial smoke delivery system, three propane powered fire props to promote a realistic experience, temperature sensors, and safety systems. Located up top are a scuttle hole entrance to simulate shipboard fire, a pneumatically raised ventilation prop, and a room on the second floor which allows for R.I.C. training these and many other features to create numerous fire scenarios.  The Fireblast Vehicle Fire prop is to simulate firefighters fighting vehicle fires and the safety precautions involved. The prop runs off propane which is provided by our Flammable Liquids and Gas trailer, there are propane burners in the front and rear bench seats, under the hood, a burning fuel spill simulator located in the rear, and a door that can be held shut with a wooden dowel so it can be forced open.

The Fireblast Flammable liquids and Gas Trailer was awarded by a grant in 2001 to train Firefighters how to fight fires involving propane and the safety precautions involved. The trailer contains two stationary 100 gallon propane tanks, a mobile control station and four steel props which all roll straight off the trailer. The simulator trains the Firefighters to direct a fog stream encompassing the flames while the supply valve can be shut off. The trailer can be towed to different locations using Utility 84.

With the purchase of the property which we call the training center and the equipment awarded by grants Pine Valley hopes to be the training provider for the Mt. Empire Volunteer Fire Departments. We are currently teaching an academy consisting of 20 Firefighters of the Campo, Boulevard, and Lake Morena (SDR) Fire Departments. There are talks of forming a JPA with Campo and Boulevard as relations grow stronger. Training equipment owned by the Pine Valley Fire District is available for use to any Department the only expenses incurred by participating agencies will be instructor fees and the replacement costs of fuels, the prop itself and other materials used during its use. For details on the use costs of these training props please contact the Fire District.