The Authority currently conducts much of its hands-on training either at facilities that are located at a considerable distance from the Authority response areas or attempts to find local sites within the Authority which are large enough and appropriate to conduct various types of necessary training such as Minimum Company Standards (MCS) Training, Recruit Training, Engineer’s Training, Command Training, Drivers Training, Ladder Training, and Specialty Training (i.e., hazardous materials, confined space). This hands-on training is necessary to maintain proficiency in training requirements and to enhance personnel safety.
The distant sites continue to be increasingly problematic due to staffing requirements and the increasing call volume within the Authority. Having crews out of the Authority for long periods of time can result in negative impacts on emergency services response times. The cost factor involved in traveling to and from these sites as well as any costs incurred for the site utilization is also considerable. Although there are no costs involved in utilizing local private property sites, appropriate locations are becoming increasingly rare and community support for utilizing those sites has dwindled due to the increased amount of training residue which is impossible to control or eliminate. Local sites can also constitute a safety concern for residents and property owners as well as personnel due to traffic issues, etc. Isolated sites have proven to be a safer option. An isolated site is also necessary for some portions of valuable training such as live burns which involve training personnel in how to perform firefighting duties in a “real life” situation.
Therefore, a designated satellite training facility would present a reasonable alternative to allow the Fire & Medical Authority to continue this required training. Additional benefits of the training facility would be the opportunity to educate Citizen’s Academy participants and Fire Corps/CAP members, and the media by allowing them to observe and/or participate in training being conducted at the site.
In 2007, a grant for $20,000 was received from the Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA) to create a Strategic Business Plan regarding the feasibility of developing a satellite training facility which was completed in 2008.
The process for acquisition of the land for the training site, the development of the site, and the financing possibilities (partnerships, grants, etc.) was researched in the Strategic Business Plan which also included various proposals for funding of the project.
The benefit of a training site to the Fire & Medical Authority both financially and logistically could be significant. It would result in potential savings in travel time, expenses, and personnel costs. Additionally, the site could possibly be used as a potential revenue source by partnering with other neighboring agencies who might wish to utilize the facility on a “cost for usage” basis.
Location:
It is expected that the Authority Satellite Training Center would be located behind the Fire Station 104 facility on a roughly eight acre parcel of land.
Initial Design Conceptual:
Initial 3 Phase - 2 Site Scheme Fire Station / Training Site Preliminary Design Conceptual
Design/Construction Administration Consultant:
To be determined
Contractor:
To be determined
Timeline:
To be determined
Current Project Status:
The Authority continues to explore its options regarding this project. However, the time-frame for the Training Center project has not currently been decided. For more information, please contact Division Chief Brad Puckett at (623) 544-5400.
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