Findlay, OH – The Findlay Fire Department has officially elevated its training capabilities with the completion of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional training project designed and constructed by Symtech. The new facility features a 3-story container-based fire simulator seamlessly integrated with a 4-story elevator shaft prop, creating one of the region’s most versatile and realistic environments for fireground, rescue, and technical operations training.
Engineered to support today’s expanding emergency response demands, the Findlay project goes far beyond a traditional live-fire simulator. By combining Class “A” burn rooms, vertical-rescue components, elevator incident training, and various technical rescue features into one consolidated site, the facility empowers Findlay’s instructors to develop complex, sequential drills that mirror the environments firefighters encounter in multi-story apartment buildings, industrial plants, and commercial structures.
“The Symtech training tower provides our firefighters with a realistic environment to practice tactics that we use on actual structure fires,” said Chief Eberle of the Findlay Fire Department. “With three Class-A burn rooms on divisions 1 and 2, we are able to conduct a wide range of fire scenarios that enhance our skills, crew coordination and incident command strategies.”
A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Modern Fire & Rescue Training
At the heart of the project is a 3-story interior fire simulator equipped with three (3) Class “A” burn rooms, each enhanced with a thermal lining system to deliver repeatable, high-heat conditions for realistic fire behavior training. This allows firefighters to run interior evolutions that build foundational skills in fire attack, search, hose management, and firefighter survival.
Attached to the simulator is a 4-story elevator shaft prop, complete with mock elevator doors, enabling crews to rehearse elevator rescue tactics, victim removal, and mechanical entrapment scenarios—an increasingly critical component of today’s urban and commercial response profile.
“The technical rescue components of our tower allow for confined space and high angle rescue training, which are difficult to accomplish elsewhere,” Eberle added.
Advanced Features for Well-Rounded Skill Development
The facility incorporates a robust suite of specialized training elements, including:
- (3) Class “A” burn rooms with a thermal lining system
- 4-story elevator shaft with mock elevator doors for realistic elevator rescue evolutions
- (2) Real-Vent pitched roof ventilation props to practice vertical ventilation strategy and saw operations
- Wall breach panel for firefighter escape and survival training
- Forcible entry door to strengthen tactical entry and engine company operations
- Varied-angle rebar cutting prop to simulate industrial entanglements and technical rescue cuts
- Standpipe and sprinkler system with FDC for high-rise hose deployment and water supply drills
- Multi-use rappel station supporting high-angle and rope operations
- Multiple D-rings for bailout, personal safety system (PSS) training, and emergency egress practice
This wide-ranging feature set enables Findlay Fire Department to run single-discipline drills or combine components into multi-stage, realistic scenarios. Crews can advance from interior fire suppression to victim search, to high-angle or elevator rescue evolutions—mirroring the unpredictable progression of real emergency incidents.
A Next-Generation Facility Built for Today’s Hazards
Symtech Fire designed the Findlay facility as a modern, all-in-one training environment that equips firefighters with the tools and space to prepare for a rapidly evolving hazard landscape. The integration of fire, rescue, technical, and vertical operations training ensures that Findlay personnel can train for everything from structure fires and apartment rescues to complex elevator incidents and high-angle events.
Reflecting on the project partnership, Chief Eberle noted that Symtech met the department’s expectations from design to installation.
“Throughout the entire process, Symtech was responsive and professional, and delivered a high quality training tower at a competitive cost,” he said. “We’re very pleased with the design, quality, installation, and overall service experience with Symtech.”
Strengthening Regional Preparedness
With completion of this project, Findlay Fire Department now stands as a regional leader in multi-story, multi-discipline training capabilities. The facility is positioned to support ongoing firefighter development, inter-agency collaboration, and large-scale training initiatives in the future.
Symtech Fire is proud to partner with Findlay Fire Department in delivering a next-generation training environment designed to enhance operational readiness, advance firefighter skill development, and strengthen public safety across Findlay and the surrounding region.
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 Multi-Story Fire Training Towers
