Putnam County plans to build a new state-of-the-art Fire Training Center to replace the existing center that has not been fully utilized for more than a decade because of unsafe conditions. Many firefighters from Putnam have been forced to travel to the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla for their training. Putnam’s new center is expected to cost from $1.25 million to $1.3 million.
On Aug. 17, the Putnam County Legislature’s Protective Services Committee approved going ahead with the project, which is expected to receive approval from the full legislature when it meets Sept. 5.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne was joined by other county and state officials at the existing fire center on Lt. Michael Neuner Court in Carmel to announce plans for the new center.
“This facility will play a pivotal role in providing our brave firefighters and other emergency first responders with the resources they need to train and protect our communities effectively,” Byrne said. “It highlights yet another example of how county government has taken a lead role in implementing a shared service which will not only bolster the capabilities of our county agencies and specialized response teams, but will also enhance local volunteer fire department and other emergency agency efforts without creating duplicate costs to their budgets.”
Most of the money for the new center will come from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that already had been allocated to the county for an information technology project that wound up receiving finding from other sources. State Sen. Peter Harckham helped secure a $200,000 grant and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Mike Lawler also have been working to secure additional funds.
The tower structure used by firefighters to practice ascending from floor to floor was deemed unsafe and closed over ten years ago. The burn building where training is conducted in real fire conditions repeatedly has been closed due to ongoing costly repairs.
Byrne said that the new Fire Training Center will provide first responders with a modern, safe, and comprehensive environment to sharpen their skills and prepare for a variety of emergency situations. He noted that while there are no federal or state mandates for county governments to operate fire-training centers, the Byrne Administration considers providing such a facility to be a high priority.
“This new Fire Training Center will revolutionize the way we prepare our firefighters for the challenges they face on the front lines,” said Bob Lipton, commissioner of the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services. “It will serve as a hub of excellence.”
Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville said that his law enforcement personnel look forward to using the new facility in their training.
“This will expand the training capabilities of our first responders,” McConville said. “We tend to perform training on a number of different scenarios with the fire services, EMS services and law enforcement so that we operate smoothly and cohesively.”
It’s estimated that new facility could be completed next summer.
