Beginning August 31 through September 17, 2004 the Middletown Fire Department will be using Wilson Elementary at 106 S. Highview and McKinley Elementary at 1210 S. Verity Parkway to train personnel.

At the McKinley site the fire department will be doing hose drags, simulated fire rescue with artificial (non-toxic) smoke, forcing doors, wide area search procedure.

In Wilson Elementary there are several walls that the fire department will break up with sledgehammers and a battering ram.  In addition, the fire department will practice ventilation procedures which involve opening the roof to let out the products of combustion.

District officials are working with the fire department officials to insure the safety of the buildings.