Moore firefighters train to battle fires in hoarding conditions at brand new facility

MOORE, Okla. (KFOR) — Moore firefighters train to battle not only dangerous fires, but hoarding conditions as well.

A brand new training area now gives Moore firefighters first-hand experience when evacuating hoarder homes, thanks to a local nonprofit.

Goodwill Central Oklahoma donated nearly $3,000 worth of salvaged goods to the Moore Fire Department.

"We sent a big truck and it was full of seven crates that had everything from clothing, home decor, and different furniture items that were already in slightly damaged condition," said Sophia Schwechheimer, Goodwill Director of Communications.

Moore Fire Chief Greg Herbster said his crews don't go into hoarder homes often, but when they do, it brings additional challenges.

"Anytime we're exposed to these hoarder conditions, it presents quite a challenge for our personnel," said Herbster.

It's a potential life or death situation, in each case the struggle is to get through piles and piles of debris.

"It presents a huge life safety issue in the hoarder condition, not only for their health and safety of the people living inside the house, but also just the fire dangers that it presents," said Herbster.

The new facility is filled with items that can no longer be sold in Goodwill stores, but can serve still another purpose.

"We really appreciate the opportunity to be able to do some real training and better prepare our our firefighters to serve the citizens," added Herbster.