Safety forces put their lives on the line every day. They often work in dangerous situations, and training is crucial to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to these situations safely.
The Cuyahoga Land Bank regularly partners with police and fire departments and other safety groups across Cuyahoga County for training exercises at Cuyahoga Land Bank-owned properties scheduled for demolition. From live burn fire training to urban search and rescue training to structural collapse training, these exercises are an excellent way for safety forces to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. “The Cuyahoga Land Bank is in a unique position to help our safety forces,” says Steve Billington, Property Specialist at the Cuyahoga Land Bank. “This type of training enables first responders to simulate life-like situations and practice skills and tactics.”
The Cleveland Fire Academy trains at Cuyahoga Land Bank properties several times yearly. Other groups it works with include the FBI Evidence Response Team, Ohio Region 2 Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team, Cleveland Fire Live Burns and Urban Search and Rescue, SWAT teams for several northeast Ohio suburbs, and the Cleveland Police and its Bomb Squad. “Every group has different requirements depending on the type of training. We make sure to find a structure on the demo list that meets those requirements,” says Billington.