By Louis Quaid, April 30, 2025
MONMOUTH, Ill. — The Monmouth Fire Department has a new training facility made from shipping containers, built for live burn drills and other exercises. Recently, firefighters tested it out, working with flames, smoke, and their Ladder 40 truck. It’s a practical setup that’s already sharpening their skills.
Containers for Real-World Training
The facility uses repurposed shipping containers arranged to mimic buildings. Some rooms are set up for controlled fires, others for rescue or entry drills. Live burns are the main draw where firefighters face real heat and smoke to practice putting out fires, navigating smoky spaces, and venting heat by cutting holes in walls or roofs. It’s tough, safe, and built to last.
Training with Fire and Ladder 40
In recent sessions, the department ran drills in the containers. They hosed down fires, simulated rescuing people in smoky rooms, and practiced multiple entries. With Ladder 40, their 107-foot aerial truck, they worked on reaching upper levels, simulating high rescues. The focus was on teamwork and handling real-world pressure.
Why It’s a Win for Monmouth
Having this facility in town saves the department from traveling for training. It’s also a smart use of containers and they are cheap and sturdy. There’s also potential for nearby fire departments to use it too, making Monmouth a training hub.
What’s Next
The department plans to expand the facility with more containers or new drills, like tight-space rescues. For now, it’s a solid tool for keeping Monmouth’s firefighters ready for any call.
Photos by Tyler Osborn, courtesy of the Monmouth Fire Department.
