Firefighters from Merion Fire Company of Ardmore ran live training drills inside the former College Arms Apartments on Montgomery Avenue on July 6, practicing fireground scenarios in a vacant building ahead of its redevelopment.

Station 25 crews began the evening drill at 7 p.m., working through scenarios that the fire company said were aimed at sharpening skills and improving teamwork before real emergencies. The fire company did not specify which scenarios were practiced, but its service area includes more than 150 apartment buildings and 770 commercial properties, making multi-unit residential structures a priority training environment.

"A sincere thank you to the property’s new owners and Lower Merion Township for making this outstanding training opportunity possible," MCFA wrote on their website. "Partnerships like these help ensure our firefighters are prepared to provide the highest level of service to the residents and visitors of Ardmore and Lower Merion Township."

Graham Fuller, who posted the drill report on the fire company's website on Wednesday, wrote that training in an actual structure "provides invaluable experience that simply can't be replicated in a classroom."

Merion Fire Company, founded in 1890, is the oldest fire company in Lower Merion Township. It hosts roughly 50 firefighters and officers respond to approximately 500 alarms per year. According to the company's website, call volume has doubled over the past 25 years without a matching increase in staffing.

Separately, three Station 25 members recently earned their Firefighter I certification. Sarah Scherf, Shane Burns and Jesse Laurino graduated from Montgomery County Fire Academy Class 2602 on June 24, after logging more than 180 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training through the Pennsylvania Entry Level Firefighter Training Program.

The fire company operates out of its station at 35 Greenfield Avenue in Ardmore. Residents can reach Station 25 at 610-642-9580.