Propping up firefighters’ practice

How are Costa Mesa firefighters thanking an Orange County construction company for putting a roof over their heads? Why, by chopping it up, of course.

But that’s the point.

Bruce Bartolomeo and his company, Bartwood Construction Inc., have donated a roof simulation training prop. Firefighters can use it to practice ventilating structure fires or rescuing people from burning buildings, city officials said.

The prop gives Costa Mesa firefighters and nearby agencies a chance to hone their life-saving techniques on the most common types of roofs found in the state, officials said in a news release.

The prop was designed and built by Bartwood Construction, Stevco Framers Inc. and Al Lapierre from Bartwood Construction. Firefighters will be able to replace used parts of the roof with new ones, so the prop can be reused.

For more information on the donation, call Lynda Jenkins at (714) 754-5062.

— Joseph Serna