Southern Pines residents are asking town leaders to establish a formal policy governing the use of buildings for live-fire training exercises.
The request follows a September training burn involving a historic home at the corner of North Page Street and West Vermont Avenue. Residents who addressed the Town Council raised concerns about historic preservation, smoke and potential effects on public health.
Residents Address Town Council
Eight community members spoke about the issue during Tuesday’s Southern Pines Town Council meeting. Several recalled seeing a large plume of dark smoke rising over the community as firefighters trained at the property.
Speakers said they recognized the importance of realistic training for firefighters but wanted the town to adopt a review process that also considers a building’s historical significance and the possible effect of smoke on nearby neighborhoods.
Some residents expressed disappointment that the historic structure could not be preserved or reused. Others focused on the materials inside older buildings and whether additional testing or public notification should be required before a training burn proceeds.
More Than 50 Firefighters Participated
The Southern Pines Fire Department conducted the exercise on Saturday, September 19. More than 50 firefighters from departments across Moore County participated, along with students from the Sandhills Community College Fire Academy.
Live-fire exercises provide firefighters with controlled opportunities to practice fire behavior, search operations, hose deployment and coordination between departments. The Southern Pines exercise, however, drew mixed reactions before and during the training as residents discussed the loss of the house and possible environmental concerns.
Property Owners Offer Buildings for Training
Fire departments do not independently select private homes for live-fire exercises. A property owner may offer a building to a department before it is demolished or otherwise removed.
Once a structure is offered, it must satisfy requirements established by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal before it can be used for training. Those requirements are intended to address safety and the preparation of the structure.
No Local Policy Currently in Place
Southern Pines does not currently have a town policy establishing how an offered structure should be evaluated before it is accepted for a live burn.
Residents are asking the council to create a process that could include additional testing, consideration of historic value, public notification and safeguards intended to protect surrounding neighborhoods.
No new policy was adopted during Tuesday’s meeting. Any changes would require additional review and action by town officials.
Read more at the original source: Southern Pines Residents Call for Live-Burn Training Policy
Southern Pines residents are asking town leaders to establish a formal policy governing the use of buildings for live-fire training exercises.
The request follows a September training burn involving a historic home at the corner of North Page Street and West Vermont Avenue. Residents who addressed the Town Council raised concerns about historic preservation, smoke and potential effects on public health.
Residents Address Town Council
Eight community members spoke about the issue during Tuesday’s Southern Pines Town Council meeting. Several recalled seeing a large plume of dark smoke rising over the community as firefighters trained at the property.
Speakers said they recognized the importance of realistic training for firefighters but wanted the town to adopt a review process that also considers a building’s historical significance and the possible effect of smoke on nearby neighborhoods.
Some residents expressed disappointment that the historic structure could not be preserved or reused. Others focused on the materials inside older buildings and whether additional testing or public notification should be required before a training burn proceeds.
More Than 50 Firefighters Participated
The Southern Pines Fire Department conducted the exercise on Saturday, September 19. More than 50 firefighters from departments across Moore County participated, along with students from the Sandhills Community College Fire Academy.
Live-fire exercises provide firefighters with controlled opportunities to practice fire behavior, search operations, hose deployment and coordination between departments. The Southern Pines exercise, however, drew mixed reactions before and during the training as residents discussed the loss of the house and possible environmental concerns.
Property Owners Offer Buildings for Training
Fire departments do not independently select private homes for live-fire exercises. A property owner may offer a building to a department before it is demolished or otherwise removed.
Once a structure is offered, it must satisfy requirements established by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal before it can be used for training. Those requirements are intended to address safety and the preparation of the structure.
No Local Policy Currently in Place
Southern Pines does not currently have a town policy establishing how an offered structure should be evaluated before it is accepted for a live burn.
Residents are asking the council to create a process that could include additional testing, consideration of historic value, public notification and safeguards intended to protect surrounding neighborhoods.
No new policy was adopted during Tuesday’s meeting. Any changes would require additional review and action by town officials.
Read more at the original source: The Pilot.
