It was a big night for Bridgeport Fire Department. Not only was Firefighter Keith Linger officially sworn into his lieutenant rank, but Bridgeport City Council voted unanimously to approve Capital Reserve Fund Budget Revision No. 2 in the amount of $110,000 – funds to be used toward construction of a training center behind the Bridgeport Fire Station.

 

Those dollars – obtained through fire fees charged to out-of-city businesses and residents – will be combined with $130,000 in funds already escrowed for the project to contract with Draeger to erect a modular training center which, according to Bridgeport Fire Chief Bob Securro, will be the only one of its kind in the state. The turnkey price for the facility is $240,000.

 

City Manager Kim Haws shared that construction of such a facility has been in discussion for several years and that - at last look at the potential project - the building cost, including traditional labor, was more than $300,000.

 

“Since Chief Seccuro has come on board, he’s shared that he had some experience with an alternative to that - which, as he has explained to me - is much more feasible and economical,” Haws said. “Because dollars have already been allocated for that facility, I’d like to recommend that Council look at this alternative to what we initially talked about and that we look at some of the funds from outside fire fees, which have been reserved but not spent until the Supreme Court case was settled, and use those funds as the balance for this facility.”

 

To be constructed by Draeger, a European company which has had a respected U.S. presence for the past 25 years, the Type 5 facility will enable Bridgeport Fire Department to conduct on-site training not only on scheduled dates, but also whenever time becomes available, Seccuro explained.

 

“On a quiet day, we could practice tactics and fire attacks and different scenarios and if we’re not using it, the police can practice entries for serving warrants in the same building,” he said. “But my vision of this facility is not just for police and fire training, but also for citizens. We can provide training to community based groups like CERT (certified emergency response training)  in the same facility, teaching theories and concept to citizens … We could also open it to RESA and WVU to hold training here, as well.”

 

If constructed of brick and mortar, such a facility would likely cost in excess of $1 million, Seccuro said. Coming into play would be environmental studies and various liability issues, he said.

 

Constructed of pre-fabricated panels, the facility is very versatile, Seccuro explained.

 

“We can change configuration of the building itself, moving walls that aren’t permanent,” he said.  

 

Baffles in the ceiling open and close, providing further options for fire scenarios, he said.

 

That set-up is ideal for live burn training pertaining to different structures and for police training as personnel can practice making entry to different sized rooms and hallways.

 

The modular design also means panels can be easily replaced or added to enlarge the facility.

 

In his work in Florida, Seccuro and his department utilized the exact same facility as he pitched to Council tonight.

 

As the facility burns all natural materials – hay cardboard and oriented strand board – run-off is not hazardous. Annual operating cost will range between $500 and $1,000 per year, with maintenance of the steel structure estimated at $2,000 per year, he said.

 

Those costs can easily be offset, Seccuro said, by charging departments which utilize the facility an annual fee of $250.

 

The modular system will arrive via train or tractor trailer and will be set into place by crane.

 

Bridgeport Fire Captain Phil Hart pointed out that more than 70 percent of the department’s staff members are trained instructors, thus putting the operation in place as soon as the building is constructed.  

 

A timeline for the project will be provided as it becomes available.

 

Look for a full report Tuesday on other Bridgeport City Council happenings. 

 

Editor's Note: Shown above is Bridgeport Fire Chief Bob Seccuro and Lt. Keith Linger, just after the swearing in ceremony and Chief Seccuro as he is giving the presentation on the proposed training facility. Looking on is Councilor Dustin Vincent.