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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Cost Versus Benefit

Reference Number: MTAS-1231
Reviewed Date: 06/29/2023

Using an acquired structure for live fire training requires careful planning and preparation. It requires a significant investment in time and labor, and possibly money, on the part of the fire department. The expense may be worth it as the benefit depends on how much time, effort, and money needs to go into preparing the structure for burning compared to how much actual training is possible given careful planning by the fire department training officer. The fire department should only agree to burn an acquired structure for the department’s benefit (training) — not for the benefit of the property owner (demolition).