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Henry County moves ahead with first county-run fire training campus
Summary
County engineers and Fire Chief Wilson outlined plans for a modular burn building, classrooms and decontamination facilities at the former golf course site, saying the campus will improve live-fire training, help reach an ISO 1 rating and reduce long-term training costs.
Henry County commissioners heard detailed plans on July 7 for the county''s first permanent fire training campus, a bond-funded project officials said will allow live-fire training, technical rescue practice and on-site decontamination.
"This is Henry County's first fire training campus," Fire Chief Wilson said in a presentation to the Board. He described a modular burn building with attached classrooms, showers and gear-cleaning areas designed to let firefighters complete the 18 hours of live-fire training required for certain certifications and to lower cancer exposure risks by providing on-site cleaning facilities. Chief Wilson also said the new facility could help the department capture about 35 of the 100 points used in ISO ratings and that the department is currently rated ISO 2 and is aiming for ISO 1.
The board and other speakers praised the project'emphasizing training continuity and long-term savings. Commissioner Wilson said the facility is "NFP approved" and reiterated the project's importance for public safety and recruitment. Staff noted the campus would use existing county-owned property (the former golf course) and that further design refinements will follow in coming weeks.
Chief Wilson said the campus will reduce the need to transport recruits to outside counties for live-fire exercises, removing the logistical burden of multi-day trips and allowing more consistent in-house training. He also credited partnerships with the Henry County Water Authority for infrastructure support.
The project was presented as part of the county's bond capital projects update; commissioners commended the capital projects team and moved on to other bond-funded items. The project was described during a presentation and no formal vote to approve construction documents was recorded in this meeting; staff said design details and next steps will be provided at later briefings.
