Dracut Firefighters Gage Brouillette and Sean Russe work together to force open the forcible entry training door during training last week. (Photo Courtesy Dracut Fire Department)

DRACUT — Chief Michael Cunha is pleased to report that the Dracut Fire Department is already using a forcible entry training door that was donated to the department by the Old Home Day Committee.

In a tradition that dates back years, the Old Home Day Committee uses part of the funds raised by each year’s Old Home Day and Firefighter Activity Day to benefit non-profits, community groups, and other organizations across the town.

Past purchases the committee has made for the Dracut Fire Department include thermal imaging cameras, gas meters, and boats that the department now uses for water rescues.

This year, the Old Home Day Committee donated $8,965 to purchase a forcible entry door prop from Fire House Innovations. The nearly indestructible steel door fits wooden rods that enable firefighters to simulate forcing their way through wooden doors, a skill they typically could only practice on real doors. The training tool enables firefighters to repeatedly practice their forcible entry skills, at virtually no cost and without destroying actual doors.

The training tool is similar to one that has been in use for years at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, and it is expected to last the department for several decades.

Fire Chief Michael Cunha, at center, explains the function of the new forcible entry training door to the Old Home Day Committee. (Photo Courtesy Dracut Fire Department)

“As a fire department, we do a lot of training. However, there are a few things that just aren’t possible without specialized training props, such as training to make forcible entry on doors,” said Chief Cunha. “The door prop is an inward and outward swinging door, and also left and right hinged. It gives firefighters the opportunity to practice the basics as well as advanced forcible entry. This specialized training and practice was never available to us daily, and every day since the door arrived, members are honing in their skills and practicing different techniques. I would like to thank the Old Home Day Committee for their generosity and for always giving back to the town!”

On Tuesday evening, members of the Old Home Day Committee were invited to the fire station to view a demonstration of firefighters training with the new tool.

To view a video of firefighters demonstrating how they train with the door for the Old Home Day Committee, click here.

To learn more about Old Home Day and Firefighter Activity Day, visit: https://www.dracutoldhomeday.com/.

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