New $6.9M training facility to bring re ghters closer to home From the cover
The details
Two-minute impact
Collier said training at the new facility will primarily include simulation of a number of sit- uations, such as household res and commercial strip center res. The commercial-style building will have three interior oors and an open-deck fourth level with an upper canopy for rope rescue training. The second building will be a two-story, single-family residence with an attached garage.
The new center will help re departments meet training requirements from the Insurance Services O ce—a national organization whose ratings are used by insurance companies for setting rates. The organization’s ratings played a role in the desire to build a facility, as these ratings can have a far-reaching e ect on business recruitment and resident relocation. Flower Mound Fire Chief Paul Henley said the departments are aiming for the organization’s highest rating. The better the rating, the better the commercial and residential rates can be. “ISO ratings can advise the community on a local re department’s re protection capabilities,” he said, adding that re ghters’ training hours gure into the rating. Fire ghters must have 18 hours of facilities training per year. The facility must be on a certain acreage, have a tower and be able to have live re burns, Henley said. Some programs can allow
Total cost per city
Flower Mound: $2,790,135.46 Highland Village: $535,797.98 Lewisville: $3,548,226.56
Total cost: $6,874,160
SOURCES: CITY OF LEWISVILLE, TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, CITY OF HIGHLAND VILLAGE COMMUNITY IMPACT
local o cials and leaders to experience live re exercises, vehicle extrications and EMS scenarios, said John Riddle, president of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters.
Three departments will train at the new facility.
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