Redesign of Fairfield fire training facilities would be state model

Fairfield firefighters and others throughout the state, along with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, began lobbying at the state Capitol a decade ago for funds to upgrade the regional fire schools.

Patience sometimes pays off. It was announced last week that the State Bond Commission approved $250,000 to begin design work for the Fairfield Regional Fire School at One Rod Highway. The eventual design will serve as a model for other fire schools throughout the state.

"Projects of this scope take a long time to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed," Fairfield Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy said.

The new facility will train volunteer and career firefighters throughout the region in cutting-edge firefighting techniques as well as basic instruction.

Assistant Fire Chief Bill Kessler was the captain in charge of training at the facility -- a former Nike missile site -- when the active lobbying began back in 2000. He said Fairfield's facility, like so many others, needed major plant upgrades. The site has a one-room "burn building," propane simulators (residential and industrial), a confined space simulator, a trench cave-in simulator, a flash-over simulator, a flat roof and pitched roof simulator (used to practice cutting ventilation holes efficiently and safely), forcible entry props and three classrooms (one of which is portable, de-commissioned by the school district), according to Kessler.

The most prominent feature is a four-story tower for rope rescue training and rappelling, breach wall training, locating "victims" in a multi-level environment filled with smoke, and training ladder truck drivers how to efficiently position their truck, with a 100-foot ladder, during an emergency.

Junk vehicle rescue also takes place on the grounds of the regional fire school. In addition, the Coast Guard, Medi-Vac and Eagle One (the regional police helicopter) at times use two heli-pads on site.

Under the redesign, the facility would have a new administrative building with six classrooms, as well as a shelter/storage area for equipment. The existing building has only two classrooms. Also, equipment is housed under tents, or worse, exposed to the open weather, Tracy said. The school would also have a second burn building, designed to resemble a house so firefighters in training encounter conditions closer to real life.

"The ability to recreate in a safe, controlled environment the unsafe, uncontrolled conditions these firefighters will encounter in their career is priceless," said Tracy. "Because they can evaluate their actions, we can reduce the hazards and they can modify their tactics to create a safe and more effective response."

The existing burn building is a single room. Often, four wooden palettes are burned in the structure at one time, along with a bale of hay, which creates a temperature of 1,000 degrees in about "four to five minutes," according to Tom Ferrera, an Eastchester, N.Y., firefighter who works at the regional fire school part-time.

The new building will be about 50 feet from the existing structure, according to Tracy.

When all is said and done, the makeover will cost roughly $9 million. Kessler said much of what is on-site now is "1950s era." That's not ideal, especially when training or classes take place "every day or night of the week."

In fact, a 2002 facilities study, conducted by the state Department of Public Works, found that many of the school's facilities were then past their useful life and that new simulators were needed.

While "Fairfield's Bravest" are fortunate to have the regional fire school in their own backyard, according to Kessler, it is time for an upgrade. Want an example?

"We can't drink the water in the main building because of lead contamination," Kessler said. That's not all. The classroom building has low ceilings, the room size is not ideal and there are columns that potentially block views during classes. In addition, the roof is prone to leaks.

State Rep. Tony Hwang, R-134, said allocating money for redesigning the fire school was an easy decision.

"Spending money on this project just makes sense," he said. "It goes toward improved training for the firefighters that keep our communities safe and, perhaps more important, further empowers these men and women to protect the public and remain active in the cities and towns they call home."

The design for the Fairfield and Torrington-Burrville fire training schools will likely be used for similar facilities in the state in the future.

Tracy expects the requests for design proposals will be ready by fall, and he anticipates getting a shovel in the ground in 2012 -- if the millions in state bonding for construction are authorized for release.

Alan Hawkins, chairman of the State Firefighters Association Education Committee, said: "Currently there are 30,000 professional firefighters, about 10,000 career and 20,000 volunteer, who respond to fires, explosions, medical emergencies, rescues, accidents and protect the lives and property of all Connecticut's citizens. I am overjoyed they will now have modern training facilities to better equip them to meet their increasing job demands."