Before nine homes on Barrett Road are demolished to reduce flood risk, they’re being used one last time — to train Fairfax County firefighters.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services worked with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) to use the empty homes for hands-on training. The homes, located in the Bel Air neighborhood near Tripps Run, were bought by the county because they’ve flooded many times over the years.

“These homes have had repeated flood damage,” said Paul Reynolds, an assistant division director with DPWES. “By removing them, we can make space for stormwater to collect and lower the risk of future flooding.”

Before demolition begins later this summer, FRD crews are using the buildings to practice full-scale fire scenarios. Firefighters can gear up, drive in with lights and sirens, pull hose lines, search smoke-filled rooms, and run drills just like they would during a real emergency.

“This kind of training is rare,” said Captain Jason Abitz. “We can’t do the full start-to-finish drills like this at the station. These homes give us that chance.”

Jacob Green, a project manager with the Stormwater Planning Division, said this is the first time DPWES has done something like this with Fire and Rescue. “It’s been a great use of the homes before demolition—good for firefighter training, good for public safety, and good for the community.”