MAKANDA, Ill. -- The Makanda Township Fire Department will soon build upon its crew's skills when it comes to entering locked buildings.Â
The department posted Wednesday morning to inform the community of a new piece of equipment donated to the department for training purposes. Deemed a "forcible entry door," the new training piece resembles a locked door that firefighters may have to break through to rescue residents trapped inside a building.Â
The Makanda department noted the door was delivered thanks to the Fire Props Unlimited in Belleville. Active, working firemen built the door, and one of its creators led the Makanda team through a class regarding forced door entry.Â
"This door is very solidly built and will serve our training needs for many years to come," wrote Chief Lipe. "This will add realism to our training and allow our firefighters to force a door as close to real life as we can simulate to gain access to a home or business should the occasion arise."Â
The Chief hopes the new training helps the department better serve the community and save more lives.Â
