WATERFORD – Firefighters from six area towns spent the May 22-23 weekend learning to operate Waterford Fire Department’s new live-fire training simulator.

The 53-foot-long, propane-fired trailer was purchased through a $192,000 federal grant that also bought 10 new air packs for Waterford. The trailer cost $158,000.

Rob Dahl, a full-time fire chief from Woodland in Washington County, led the 17 people through the training. Nine were certified as operators on Saturday and eight on Sunday.

“The bottom line for all of this is firefighter safety,” Rob told the group. “There are more than 100 firefighter deaths each year across the country and a third of them happen during live-fire training. This trainer provides realistic live-fire training in a safe environment.”

The Fireblast 451 trainer that arrived earlier this month from California is only the second such unit in the state. Windham and Gorham jointly purchased the first one in 2001. Fireblast, based in Riverside, Calif., has been in business for seven years and has built 27 units.

The portable unit can be set up on any level surface. The only requirement is running water for cooling. The trailer carries its own generator and propane gas supply. The main section can be converted from one to three rooms. Internal stairs offer a second floor attack scenario or basement entry. There is also a roof prop that can be tilted to 45 degrees for venting drills.

Waterford Chief Brad Grover said he sees the simulator as an excellent way for his department to gain valuable training and to work alongside men and women from mutual aid towns.

“In the past, if we wanted to train in actual fire conditions, it was a daylong event that took weeks of planning,” Grover said. “Now, we have instant fire. We can go out on a regular meeting night and run several evolutions through in a 3-hour period.”

Grover, who participated in both days of training, said he hopes the unit will serve as a recruiting tool to attract younger members.

“By increasing the amount of activity, we feel we can keep the interest up along with our skills. Being a small department, we don’t have that many fires each year but people expect us to be prepared when there is one,” Grover said. “I think it’s going to be a great tool for the whole area. I’ve talked with all the area chiefs and they’re all pretty enthusiastic.”

Certified were John Martin, Adrien Morin, Ray Merrill, Tom McFarland, Gary Hill and Bill Haynes from Waterford; Mark Moulton and Steve Fox from Lovell; Mike McAllister from Stoneham; Frank Staley, Dennis and Christine Yates from Norway; Eric Field from Harrison; and Tim Cook, Arthur TriGlione and Kevin Adams from Bridgton.

The popularity of the training simulators has increased dramatically in recent years as more states ban burning structures for live-fire training. Most have been purchased with federal grants aimed at providing regional training.