Plans are underway to build an addition to the Middle Peninsula Regional Fire Training Center in Harcum to extend its capabilities and provide more opportunities for firefighters to get practical experience in a controlled environment.

Gloucester County public works engineer Lindy Harper is overseeing the logistics of the project. Harper said a burn room on the second floor of the facility will be completed, including an exterior staircase and balcony.

According to Harper, the addition will also include a prop, which will be a bed, to simulate trying to rescue someone asleep on the second level of a burning building. There will also be a sprinkler system installed to help firefighters learn to train to interact in a burning building with a sprinkler system activated.

"This will give us the ability to better mimic actual fire situations, especially with the introduction of the LP gas system on the first and second floors and overall gives us more realistic training opportun...