A Madison firefighter exits the mobile fire simulator after dousing an artificial blaze. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – A specialized trailer constructed for simulating live fires wheeled into Madison last week to give Madison firefighters a reminder of what blazing conditions feel like.

The Alabama Fire College’s vehicle, which is used all around the state, was in Madison for a second time this year according to Fire Chief Ralph Cobb.

Ryan Kaser, representative from the Fire College and full-time firefighter with Hartselle’s fire department, oversaw the trailer’s use throughout the week.

“There are two [simulators] right now and a third one is on the way,” Kaser said. “They are available for all the fire departments to request and we bring it out, set it up and have an operator there to operate it.”

The versatile trailer is built to encompass many different situations that can arise with fighting fire.

“There are several different scenarios you can do with this trailer,” Kaser said. “There are two different burners. We can set a fire in the front of it; we can set a fire in the back of it.”

Kaser controlled the “burns” with a remote control. At one end, a makeshift stove burned and, at the other end, a dummied electrical panel caught fire to simulate an electrical burn.

Stairs lead up to the roof at one portion and certain panels open up at the floor to mimic an actual basement.