Putnam To Replace Decrepit Fire Training Center

CARMEL, NY — Putnam County's volunteer firefighters, many of whom have had to get their training in Rockland or Westchester, are going to get a modern, safe, and comprehensive environment to sharpen their skills and prepare for a variety of emergency situations.

Standing in front of a fire training tower deemed unsafe a decade ago on Wednesday, County Executive Kevin Byrne announced his intention to construct a new state-of-the-art Fire Training Center.

The new facility will replace the former center, which has been barely used since the tower was deemed unsafe over 10 years ago and the burn facility has been repeatedly closed due to ongoing costly repairs.

"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. "We are incredibly grateful for the support and funding that will make this facility possible. It will serve as a hub of excellence and a testament to the dedication and cooperation of all involved."

Funding will primarily come from the county's American Rescue Plan Act dollars that had been previously committed to a county radio project. The administration secured other grant funding for the first responder radio update project and were able to move that money to this, with additional funding coming from several grant opportunities, spokesman Chris Formisano told Patch.

Many local fire departments travel to neighboring counties instead for essential training.

That makes recruitment and retention efforts within the volunteer emergency services community more difficult — and volunteer fire departments are a lot less costly for taxpayers than paid ones.

While the existing fire training center is not a federally or state mandated service, it is one that is widely considered to be essential; so, it's being treated as a high priority by Byrne and members of his administration, county officials said.

"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."

Both United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and State Senator Peter Harckham have been actively working to secure funding for it as well.

"As elected officials, our responsibility is public safety," said New York State Senator Pete Harckham. "The renovation of the firefighter and EMS training center is essential to ensure that our first responders have the resources they need to save lives during an emergency and continue to keep our communities safe. I am proud to partner with County Executive Byrne and our first responders to fund the renovation of the vital fire tower, which is needed to train firefighters to combat multi-story blazes."

The project is expected to go before the Protective Services Committee on Aug. 17 and to the County Legislature for a full vote on Sept. 5. If approved, partial demolition could begin on the old facility; with the fire tower being torn down and part of the old facility being re-purposed for other training opportunities. Pending all necessary approvals, the new state of the art center is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2024.

"The new center will enhance training opportunities and improve emergency response capabilities. It's an investment in the safety and well-being of our residents and our first responders," said Deputy Chair of the Legislature Amy Sayegh. "I thank County Executive Byrne and all those in Bureau for putting together this plan. I look forward to reviewing this proposal later this month."