By PIO Christopher Martin,
Brockport Fire District
Scouts, firefighters, past chiefs, and commissioners gathered on November 19, 2024, to celebrate the completion and dedication of a new “smoke house” training prop built in the rear of the Brockport fire station #5 on Owens Road (Monroe County). This Eagle Scout project was completed after months of planning and construction coordinated by 14-year-old Eagle Scout candidate Jacob R. Rombaut.
The two-story prop is complete with window openings on the first and second floors, rigid stairs to the second floor, a door opening, and old furniture to clutter up the space. This will simulate what firefighters may encounter when dealing with an emergency in a home or dwelling. Ladders may be set up against the prop to access the windows and practice rescuing weighted dummies out the window and down the ladders.
Rombaut heard about the fire district’s need for the prop at a Scout meeting. He offered to make it his Eagle project. Rombaut has a long family history with the fire service in Brockport, and they all pitched in when he asked for help. Past Chief Kenneth Rombaut is his grandfather, Past Chief John Rombaut is his great uncle, and Past Chief Timothy Rombaut is John’s son. They were all in attendance at the dedication to congratulate and thank Jacob for a job well done on a very worthwhile project. It will serve the volunteer firefighters in this community for many years to come.
The planning for the project started in June of this year and the construction took about two months from the beginning of August until the beginning of October. Jacob found assistance in other scouts, firefighter friends, family, and friends, with 23 volunteers filling out his construction roster. The materials were purchased by the fire district at a cost of nearly $3,000. Labor was provided solely by the volunteer workers, tallying just over 180 hours to complete the project.
The fire district is very appreciative of Jacob’s willingness to step forward, take on a project of this magnitude for his community, and see it through to completion. Fire District Commissioners Patricia Connors, Allyn Hammel, David Georgiev, and Michael Koss were on hand to express their appreciation and share in the dedication. An engraved plaque will hang on the front of the prop acknowledging Jacob for his efforts.
Pictured (l to r): Commissioners Michael Koss, Patricia Connors, David Georgiev, and Al Hammel with Scout Jacob Rombaut and his dad, Kevin Rombaut.
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs