MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2024 — The Livingston County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has completed construction of a new fire training tower located at the Hampton Corners County Complex in Mount Morris.
The four-story facility represents a considerable step forward in emergency response training for the county’s first responders. With burn rooms on three floors, the new structure will allow firefighters to hone their skills in a number of different fire scenarios, including basement fires, second-story blazes, and other types of firefighting situations. OEM officials said the variety of training now available will ensure the county’s first responders are ready to face the next emergency with confidence and expertise.
"This new tower will significantly advance our training capabilities," said Livingston County Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Brodell. "It will allow us to better prepare our agencies to respond to a wide range of fire-related emergencies, greatly improving our ability to protect lives and property in Livingston County."
In addition to offering a multitude of training scenarios, the new tower will give OEM personnel the option to increase difficulty levels to further challenge and improve the skills of the county’s emergency responders. All local fire departments and law enforcement partners will have access to the tower for training and certification. The primary firefighting function of the tower will be supported by the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control which provides the courses for firefighters statewide to become certified as interior firefighters.
Beyond its primary firefighting functions, the tower will also feature 22 rope rescue anchors for specialized training in rope rescue techniques, such as high-angle rescues, confined space rescues, and other challenging scenarios emergency responders may encounter. The County's Central Services department is also installing new lighting poles around the structure to facilitate after-dark training sessions. The age of the county’s previous burn tower, combined with its limited training capabilities, prompted department leaders to seek a replacement facility. The newly-constructed $650,000 structure was paid for with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal investment in local governments designed to help communities recover from the pandemic and build more resilient economies.
Looking forward, OEM officials are preparing for Phase 2 of the project, which will further enhance the county’s training capabilities. This includes the addition of a donated grain bin silo to allow for fire training scenarios likely to be encountered by firefighters in agricultural communities like Livingston County. The ARPA funds will also be used to construct a concrete pad specifically for the grain bin, as well as an additional pad to be used for car fire training. This expansion will provide comprehensive training opportunities that address a wider range of emergency scenarios, ensuring that first responders are well-equipped to handle diverse situations effectively. The second phase will further demonstrate the project’s commitment to enhancing emergency response training in Livingston County.
For more, visit the Office of Emergency Management website, or call 585-243-7160.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.