A multi-valve training prop arrives at the Collins Fire Department Training Center (Collins Fire Department Facebook) The props were acquired and funded 100% through a 2023-24 Homeland Security Grant.

“Ironically, in third grade, the fire department comes to their classroom, so we had just a month ago prior to the fire went through our fire safety plan for our house,” Sara explained.

The only fire training facility in the county right now is a burn building in Belpre. If Marietta trains there, it’s out of the department’s jurisdiction and means a 20-25-minute response time.