Fire department leadership presented a set of capital requests Thursday that include a standalone training facility, design funding for a new Station 1, parking expansion at Station 3, replacement extrication tools, and continued purchase of PFAS‑free turnout gear.
Chief Kopp (fire chief, appearing remotely) and Jeremy (presenter for fire) described the training-facility proposal as a site that could provide a three‑story training tower, classrooms and office space and also be scaled down to a connex‑style temporary solution if land acquisition is required. Jeremy said the department would like a permanent training facility that could also support ISO‑rating goals and possibly host outside training for other agencies. He presented a planning-level cost of about $882,000 for a lower-end connex-box approach that did not include land acquisition; staff said costs would rise if property purchase were required.
Several members urged a broader study of options and stronger collaboration with Northcentral Technical College (NTC). Ald. Rasmussen and others recommended exploring a larger public‑safety training center in partnership with NTC, which trains fire and EMS personnel regionally, rather than immediately committing six‑ or seven‑figure sums to a city‑only site. Committee members also suggested considering colocating training with other future fire facilities so that training, operations and new station needs are coordinated.
On the station side, staff requested architectural design funding for the new Station 1 and said the department is outgrowing Central Station facilities and parking. A Station 3 parking expansion was proposed to address staffing increases at that location; staff said the most practical near‑term option may be purchase or use of nearby property if available.
Operational equipment needs included an extrication‑tool replacement (battery-operated rescue tools are aging and batteries/parts are becoming scarce) and a continuation of a multiyear program to buy PFAS‑free turnout gear. Chief Kopp said tools and protective gear are safety‑critical and that some grant applications for extrication equipment are pending, but that CIP funding is a contingency if grants are not awarded.
Committee members asked staff to further evaluate partnership options, to consider a coordinated long‑range plan tying station siting and training assets together, and to return with cost comparisons and site‑analysis options. No formal funding votes were held during the meeting.