Live-Fire Training for Everett FD at Local Historic Building

The Everett Fire Department will conduct live-fire training at 3400 Norton Avenue in the Port Gardner neighborhood, May 6th through the 9^th.

You may recognize the building. The structure being used for the training was donated by the Everett Elks, who have owned and managed it since 1914.
The building was slotted to be demolished.

It was also the old Scout Shack for Boy Scouts of American Troop #1, built over one hundred years ago. According to their website, Everett “holds the
distinction of having the oldest continuously operating Boy Scout Troop west of the Mississippi. As such, it holds the honor of the name Troop
1.” (There is some debate about this, related to the meteoric popularity of the Troops at the time, and some spotty record-keeping.)

Over the course of the last several years, donations were solicited for repairs and plumbing, but the demolition, and subsequent decision to use it
as a live-fire training, came about regardless of community efforts.

“Live-fire training allows our firefighters to practice extinguishment, ventilation, and search techniques in a controlled environment,” said Chief
Dave DeMarco. “We are committed to being good neighbors during the exercise and will do our best to minimize impacts to residents and drivers in
the area.”

“Live-fire training is required by Washington State law and provides a platform for fire personnel to gain valuable practice and experience in a realistic,
but controlled, environment. Neighbors can expect to see a heavy presence of fire apparatus, firefighters and smoke in the area during training
sessions.” The Elks offered the building for the training, which allows for a more realistic and lower cost setting.

Crews will ensure that roads are minimally impacted and residents’ driveways will not be blocked unless the homeowner had previously agreed to it.
Everett FD will provide notification directly to residents ahead of the training who may be impacted. The training exercises are scheduled to begin
at 8 am and wrap up around 5 pm on each day.

Content and image courtesy of Everett FD and City of Everett