Those large cranes behind the Bridgeport Fire Department Tuesday afternoon weren’t for training purposes. However, the cranes were busy unloading cargo that will be exclusively for training.

 

The city’s new burn building and training system structure was delivered from Draeger Safety Equipment out of California. Bridgeport Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Seccuro was thrilled to see it finally make it the Main Street location of the fire department.

 

“It’s not completed, but we’ve got the makings of it so we’re almost there,” said Seccuro.

 

Seccuro described the building as a Phase 5 system. Once constructed, the building will cover two stories that will allow for controlled burns and training as well as allow for law enforcement to do training on entries into facilities.

 

“Basically, we can do whatever with this. There applications are whatever you make them to be,” said Seccuro. “For our purposes, it will definitely have a life fire component to us and will help us train in a more efficient manner than before.”

Right now, the closest alternatives for training are in Clarksburg and Jane Lew. Seccuro said the problem with that is that if you offer the training while the fire staff is on duty, you either leave the city uncovered or understaffed. To offer the training on off days, fire personnel are required to be paid overtime. On top of that, those who are off duty have to take regular equipment with them that might be used in the event of a real working fire in Bridgeport, which is another issue involved with sending staff away – even locally – for training.

 

That should all change early in January. Seccuro said construction of the new building will begin Jan. 5 and it should be finished by Jan. 7 or Jan. 8. By Jan. 9, the chief expects some initial training on maintenance and upkeep of the building followed by standard training that should benefit the department – as well as the city’s police force – for years to come.

 

Seccuro said it will be offered to other fire departments for training throughout the area and the state. He said they will be asked to pay a one-time annual fee of $250. That will help cover the costs associated with the materials needed to create the burn and the upkeep.

 

According to Bridgeport Finance Director Monica Musgrave, the funds for the new training facility/burn building came from two areas. In fiscal years 2012-13 and 2014-15, $65,000 was escrowed. In July of this year, City Council appropriated $110,000 from the outside fire fees that were collected in the first two years. That money became available once litigation regarding the fire fee was settled. Musgrave said the total cost of the building is $240,000.