What Are Farmington Public Safety Officers Doing at Dunleavy's Pub?

Thanks to the building's new owner, Farmington Public Safety Department has been using the closed Dunleavy's Pub on Grand River for fire and police training. 

According to a department press release, Bright Side Dental will tear down the existing building before construction begins on a new dental office. In the meantime, public safety officers have the opportunity to train in an unknown environment to search for a downed firefighter or trapped victim.

In one of the training exercises, rescuers had to enter the building, find a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with its alarm sounding, which represented a downed firefighter. Officers had to refill the SCBA from a spare bottle, and then remove the "firefighter" from the building. Officers used a thermal imaging camera in a different part of the building to search for a victim that was trapped.

The release indicated that trainings were conducted in total darkness, much like being in a real fire, without the heat. 

Public safety officers also conducted roof ventilation training using different power and hand tools. Ventilation lets heat, smoke and gases escape from a building on fire. It improves the chance of a victim surviving and improves the safety of the firefighters conducting fire suppression operations inside the building.

"It's one thing to stand on the ground and use a chain saw or swing an axe, its totally different being on an angled roof," Public Safety Director Bob Schulz said.

“We are very grateful to Bright Side Dental, it shows they are committed to the safety and well being of the community," he added.