By Lt. J.R Sowell, Glynn County (Ga.) Fire Rescue
At the heart of every successful training evolution lies innovation — and sometimes, that innovation starts with nothing more than a pen, a ruler and an idea.
The leak tree prop used by our hazmat team today was born out of necessity, inspiration, and a bit of elbow grease. Before I became a firefighter 15 years ago, I worked in the trades, and that background continues to shape how I approach hands-on challenges.
Hazmat Training Drill: Flammable Liquid Leak from a Pipe
The concept came to life while I was attending hazmat technician training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala. The instructors were phenomenal. One day during leak patching exercises, we trained using their version of a leak tree. I don’t know whether theirs was purchased or built. What I do know is that it worked, and it stuck with me.
When I returned home, the seed of an idea had already taken root. I approached our hazmat coordinator, Chief Stephen Viggiano, about building one for our department. He told me, “Draw it up, give me a materials list, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Also Read: Tech Talk: Training Prop
So I sat down and spent three hours designing the prop — every fitting, fill, drain, and union was carefully placed for practicality and transportability. I submitted not just a design, but a full shopping list from three local suppliers, including pricing.
That Saturday, when I walked into the station for my next shift, all the materials were there waiting for me. I grabbed my tape measure, pipe cutter, and got to work.
The rest, as they say, is history.
We’ve now used the leak tree prop in several hazmat training evolutions. Its modular design makes it easy to store, quick to set up, and incredibly effective for training scenarios. What started as a simple sketch has become a reliable tool for building real-world skills in a safe and controlled environment.Those who have questions or would like a copy of the plans to build their own can email me at [email protected]
