Working Together for Community Safety 

Sno-Isle Libraries is steadily moving forward in our preparations for the new Lake Stevens Library in the Chapel Hill neighborhood. In the meantime, we have been happy to be able to support Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue by allowing them to use the property for training purposes. This provides firefighters with real-world practice in unique homes.

Firefighters practice at training facilities to mimic homes, but this does not compare to actual homes since they are all built differently. The two properties have shown the firefighters unique challenges that can arise when working on homes.

Peter Mongillo, Public Information Officer for Snohomish Fire & Rescue says, “The homes provided by Sno-Isle Libraries are helping our crews and communities remain safe. We thank Sno-Isle for this opportunity to train on these homes.”

One technique the crews practiced is “venting” by cutting holes in the roof of the house. This allows the hot smoke and gases to expel quickly in order to get to the victims quickly. The homes on the Chapel Hill property provide training in a controlled environment so they are ready in the event of a real fire.

Sno-Isle Libraries Community Libraries Director Diane Lai adds, “Community is at the center of everything we do. We’re so happy to be able to support our hard-working firefighters and collaborate on the common goal of community safety.”