Plano Fire-Rescue held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 9 for the city’s new Fire Training Center. When building is complete, the location will be at the intersection of McDermott Road and Robinson Road, roughly one mile from Sam Rayburn Tollway.
The two-acre center will include an administration building, office space, classrooms, locker rooms, a fitness area, a mock three-bay apparatus room, a mock two-story single-family home for training purposes, a mock two-story multi-family apartment for training, a six-story burn tower and a technical rescue training facility.
“This facility will allow Plano’s training staff to simulate infrequent high-hazard events and to allow our firefighters to practice new techniques in a safe and non-emergency setting. The complex is unique and innovative and will provide quality training opportunities for years to come,” said Fire Chief Sam Greif.
This will be the first training center inside the city limits of Plano. Previously Plano Fire-Rescue shared resources with other cities, according to Chief Greif. The new center will allow the department to keep its resources in the city while they train, and to have full rein over training dates, something that is not possible when sharing facilities.
The new center will also be state of the art. “Good things come to those who wait,” said the chief.
The $14.8 million dollars in funding comes from the 2017 bond approved by Plano voters. Brinkley Sargent Winton Architects designed the Fire Training Center, and Byrne Construction Services will build it. It is slated to be completed by early 2022.
