The new facility, located at 175 Fairgrounds Road in Taylorsville, features a “burn cell” that can be replaced as needed, as well as a semi-open floor plan, two interior stairs, a rappelling tower, and multi-level windows for ventilation and ladder training. The facility can be expanded to provide training opportunities needed to meet the NC Firefighter Curriculum Job Performance Requirements.
Chairman Pennell expressed his appreciation to the county’s emergency services staff and dedicated volunteers, and said he hopes the training facility will provide valuable training opportunities.
“Our firefighters and emergency services personnel have had to travel out of the county for this type of training for many years, but now we have our own facility, which will enhance safety, training, certifications, and more,” said Chairman Pennell. “We are deeply grateful for the many volunteers in Alexander County, and we hope this facility will be a valuable asset for current and future generations of firefighters.”
Chairman Pennell said the facility was constructed using almost no taxpayer dollars, as a FEMA reimbursement paid $110,000 of the costs.
“Our main goal is to provide a training facility to meet the needs of our many dedicated volunteers. However, this facility isn’t just an investment in our emergency responders—it’s an investment in the safety and well-being of the citizens of Alexander County,” Chairman Pennell stated. “The more training and resources we provide to our firefighters, the better they can serve and protect our community in times of crisis.”
Interim Fire Marshal Garrett Huffman said fire departments utilize training facilities with burn buildings to provide firefighters with safe, controlled training environments to develop and practice skills needed for real-world fire suppression and rescue, ultimately saving lives and property.
“By having our own training facility, our eight fire departments and other agencies can utilize it for their training and continuing education needs,” said Huffman. “A strong training program with a good facility leads to improved firefighter skills, safer and more effective fire suppression, and ultimately a lower ISO (Insurance Service Office) score, which means better insurance rates for the community.”
Huffman said burn buildings simulate the conditions of a real fire, allowing firefighters to experience heat, smoke, and other hazards in a controlled setting. They also practice crucial skills like hose handling, ventilation, search and rescue, and fire behavior analysis.
Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) has provided a Memorandum of Use to allow their instructors to teach and students to earn credit hours.
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