Committee approves proceeding with flashover simulator for regional firefighter training

The Benton Harbor Public Safety and Public Works Committee approved a request from the Department of Public Safety to proceed with purchase of a flashover simulator as a first step toward a permanent firefighter training center for the region.

Miss Jasmerich, identified in the meeting as a representative of the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, told the committee that in May 2025 the department received a $20,000 grant from the Upton Foundation “to help develop a firefighter training center.” She said the department has trained more than 2,000 firefighters since 2021 and that the city lacks a permanent firefighter training center, requiring crews to travel out of county or state for hands-on training.

Jasmerich said the quote for the flashover simulator is $29,800 and that the additional $9,800 would come from income raised by the fire training program, which sells subscriptions to other departments in Michigan and Indiana. She described the simulator as the first step toward a regional training facility and said two possible locations under consideration are a joint facility in Lake Township or property at the airport. She said there would be no taxpayer impact because the purchase would be funded by the Upton Foundation grant and training program revenue.

The committee recorded the item as moved forward by consensus; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote, mover or second. The committee did not set a definitive facility location; staff said Lake Township and the airport property remain options.

The request and funding details were recorded on the public record; staff said they are working with several departments to make the center a regional facility.