Largo Firefighters Practice Breaking Down Doors to Save Lives

The Largo Fire Department has a new door that it's using to practice gaining access quickly and professionally to businesses and homes in the event of a fire.

Getting through a real door at the scene of a fire allows firefighters to rescue victims faster and get to the source or seat of the fire, officials said. 

This week, all of Largo's firefighters are practicing on the new door by Firehouse Innovations, which was designed by a firefighter in New York City. The instructors are Largo's Lt. Sands, Firefighter Trese, and Firefighter McCartney.

The anatomy of a door is mostly review for Largo's firefighters. But the new practice door allows firefighters to simulate getting through steel doors in steel frames, which is the toughest place to gain entry, fire officials explained.

Not all doors are created equal. Different types of tools and different techniques are used to gain entry depending on the door. Doors can open in or out. Plus, doors can open from the right or the left. So when firefighters come to the scene, they need to be able to assess quickly the type and thickness of the doors, training officials explained.

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