SUMMARY

PROJECT TITLE: Fire - Ladder Truck Training Tower

DEPARTMENT: Fire/EMS

BUDGET CODE: CFP-AFD-00001

JUSTIFICATION: This facility will allow AFD personnel to properly prepare to conduct safe and efficient rescue and firefighting operations on and in multi-story buildings.

START DATE (FY2024): TBD

END DATE (FY2024): TBD

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

This project would construct a 4-5 story training facility with the ability to train for both exterior and interior above grade firefighting and rescue operations. There are multiple 3-5 story buildings currently in Anacortes with many more under construction and being planned for the future. The AFD needs to be able to adapt to this new risk. The ability to train our personnel on proper aerial placement and operations as well as conducting interior operations on upper floors is critical in preparing for fires and other emergencies in these types of occupancies. Currently there is no realistic local ability to conduct this training.

REcommendation:

Our recommendation is to build a 4-5 story training building that will allow the AFD to properly train with our ladder truck and also train on standpipe operations utilizing interior stairwells. This facility will be best suited to be placed on the March's Point property and possibly built in conjunction with the proposed Station 3.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES / STATUS:

Training on occupied and operating buildings is currently our only option. This creates liability when working on and around private property as well as severely limits the types of training activities the crews can perform. Operating from standpipes in hallways and from stairwells is a skill as critical as operating the aerial device itself. There is little doubt that our community will continue to grow vertically. The facilities being planned at the new MJB development are prime examples of this growth.