Construction of public safety training facility gets underway

 

Columbus firefighters demonstrated vehicle rescue techniques at the site of the new training facility Tuesday afternoon. WRB photos

The city of Columbus held a groundbreaking yesterday for a new public safety training facility on airport property.

Fire Chief Mike Compton said that the finished facility will be 12,000 square feet and will include two classrooms as well as a large interior space where firefighters can train with their tools. He said that the facility would also be available for training use by area fire departments or the police.

The department is currently holding its training sessions in the basement of Fire Station 2, the chief said.

The fire department is also considering moving the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund operations to the new facility when it is completed. The Cheer Fund now uses the basement of the United Way building on 13th Street.