Berkeley Heights, NJ – Dubuque County Public Safety Training Center completed a comprehensive modernization of its fire training capabilities, partnering with Symtech Fire to deliver a next-generation system that expands scenario diversity and training realism for firefighters across the region.
The project, completed in mid-2025, represents one of the most extensive interior structural fire upgrades of the year, transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art training environment capable of preparing first responders for the full spectrum of residential fire scenarios.
Complete System Transformation
The upgrade replaced all existing interior structural fire simulator controls and equipment with Symetch’s latest generation systems. The center now features an entirely new suite of residential fire props including a Stove Fire with Cabinet Extension, Interior Sofa Fire with Ceiling Rollover, Queen Bed Fire with Ceiling Rollover, and Hallway Rollover System.
The facility also includes three interchangeable mockups— Clothes Dryer, Boiler/Water Heater, and Entertainment Center— that can be rotated through the training structure to create varied, realistic scenarios. This flexibility means training exercises can be continually refreshed, exposing firefighters to a broader range of fire origins and behaviors.
To heighten realism, Symtech Fire integrated a 10-speaker ambient sound system throughout the facility, adding the crackling, roaring sounds of an active structure fire to better prepare firefighters for the auditory chaos of emergency calls, as well as simulated smoke throughout the facility including in burn rooms and non-burn spaces.
The project also included the addition of several Outdoor and Industrial LPG Fire Training scenarios, including SUV Vehicle Fire Simulator, 250-Gallon LPG Tank Fire Simulator, and an Industrial Storage Rack Fire Simulator.
Built for the Long Term
Dubuque County’s investment includes both a 5-year warranty and a 5-year service agreement with annual preventive maintenance visits, ensuring the facility will continue operating at peak performance.
The modernized facility positions Dubuque County as a regional leader in fire training, with capabilities that meet or exceed NFPA 1402 standards. The environmentally friendly propane-fueled systems produce realistic fire behavior while minimizing environmental impact and enabling rapid turnaround between training evolutions.
The update provides a significant improvement in reliability and performance relative to the previous system that was in place.
“This project represents Symtech Fire’s commitment to partnering with forward-thinking training centers like Dubuque County,” said Jon Hanson, CEO/Managing Director, Symtech Fire. “When facilities invest the time to thoroughly research their options and select the right partner, the result is a training environment that truly serves their firefighters and community for years to come.”
About Symtech Fire
Symtech Fire provides industry-leading Class A and Class B live-fire training systems engineered to meet or exceed NFPA 1402 standards. With a commitment to innovation, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships, Symtech Fire serves fire departments and training centers across North America and internationally.
Learn more about Symtech Fire’s Outdoor Simulators and Interior Structural Simulators
