Fire depts receive new safety tool

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Area fire departments soon will have a brand-new mobile home to create fake fires in.

The Lake County Fire Chief’s Association, which works with McHenry County fire departments, expects to have a new fire safety mobile home to use for demonstrations within the next couple of months.

The house is set up to look like it has a real kitchen and bedroom area.

Officials use theatrical smoke, warm door handles and smoke alarms to create the illusion of a nearby fire.

They then teach children how to escape safely.

“It’s a fun learning environment, but at the same time, there’s an important message involved,” said Chief Dave Dato, with the Wauconda Fire Protection District. “We all learn by doing better than just talking about it.”

Departments in both counties will be able to use the equipment for demonstrations at schools, in neighborhoods or even at retail events. It also can be used to educate senior citizens or others, Dato said.

The association hopes to get the unit sometime in December, and plans are to put it into use shortly after.

McHenry County fire departments do have another similar unit already, and the Lake County fire departments had one in the past, but it was worn out and no longer safe for use.

“Literally, we’ve put thousands and thousands through it,” said Dato, whose department sits in portions of both counties.

The purchase was funded with a $23,000 grant from Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. and DeWitt Stern, a risk management and insurance brokerage firm.

“With the economy, things are tight,” sad Chief Fred Friedl, with the Gurnee Village Fire Department. “This is very much of a surprise, and we were very excited about it.”

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