Neal Communities will start construction on Marquesa Isles, a new community on 38 acres in Naples, Fla., this fall. But the Sarasota, Fla.-based builder recently donated the use of a site and five structures about to be demolished (within the future community) to local firefighters so they could conduct live fire training.
About 400 personnel participated in nearly 150 hours of real-life training scenario simulations using the structures slated for demolition. The Greater Naples Fire District ignited small fires inside the structures to allow firefighters the opportunity to recognize the changing fire conditions in a controlled environment.
“We truly appreciate our first responders and firefighters, and with this contribution, we wanted to provide them with the ability to have real-life training situations,” said Michael Greenberg, southwest Florida regional president for Neal Communities, in a statement. “Four years ago, we made a similar donation with another property because we recognize how important this training is.”
Emergency First responders from Lee and Collier counties held field-training events in the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District for several scenarios, including firefighter search and rescue, forcible entry, hose-line operations, firefighter survival, new recruit orientation, fire investigations, and SWAT and bomb operations.
“When given an acquired structure to train at, it is a huge blessing,” said Greater Naples Fire District Capt. Rusty Godette, who coordinated the training efforts, in a statement. “Having a structure we don’t have to be careful with creates a more realistic atmosphere that translates to quality training.”
Marquesa Isles is part of Neal Communities’ south region, which encompasses Lee and Collier counties. The community will feature 156 villas and also include an amenity building, a resort-style pool, and a dog park.
