Lakeport >> Firefighters received a potentially life-saving piece of equipment from AAA Welding and Fabrication on Friday.
The prop is a forcible entry door, designed to help firefighters get training on getting into a structure.
“A lot of times we go to buildings and the doors are locked and there’s people and a fire inside – we need to get in there quickly. It’s actually a skill that has to be practiced a lot and up until now we didn’t have a way of doing that,” Lakeport Fire Protection District (LFPD) firefighter Andrew Bergem said. “Now we do, and that’s a big deal.”
Chris Caudle and Jacob Ashby of AAA welding put in about 40 to 50 hours worth of labor spread over a few months to complete the job. The business also donated steel along with Lake County Welders and B&B Steel Supply. Tri-Valley Paints donated paint, and Rich’s Towing provided the door’s delivery.
“We kept it local, kept it within the community,” Bergrem said.
With donated time and supplies, AAA staff were able to complete the project at about half the cost.
Bergrem estimated prices for forcible entry doors range between $7,000 to $10,000, and AAA built the LFPD’s door for $4,000.
