In 2005, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) obtained a Kidde Mobile Live Fire Training Simulator (Type ML-1000).  Seventy percent of the simulator cost was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The Live Fire Training Simulator is a custom-built fire training trailer that allows convenient fire training for students taking the basic National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighting Skills course and advanced fire fighting drills.  The ML-1000 system is certified to NFPA and Underwriters Laboratories safety standards by Edison Testing Laboratory, a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

The simulator allows the HFD to conduct live fire training at the Charles H. Thurston Training Center despite its location next to an elementary school and community park.  It is fueled by clean-burning propane, which alleviates community concerns related to toxic gases and air pollution.  Smoke from the simulator quickly dissipates once it leaves the simulator, and fire fighting run-off water from simulator training does not contain contaminants.  Features of the Live Fire Training Simulator include a pitched roof ventilation prop, bed fire prop, kitchen stove fire prop, flashover effect fire, and fire smoke simulation.

Conditions in the trainer simulate those of an actual structure fire while providing enhanced safety features. The HFD utilizes the Live Fire Training Simulator during monthly training evolutions.  The simulator is also utilized during Fire Fighter Recruit Training.