FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2006
Fire/search and rescue facility dedicated
Continuing its efforts to improve fire protection facilities, the City of Kansas City, Mo., has completed another public safety capital improvement project.
Instead of a ribbon-cutting, a special “hose-uncoupling” ceremony took place Friday to dedicate the improvements made to the fire/search and rescue training facility at 5130 Deramus Ave. The work completed includes repair and renovation to the existing six-story training tower and the addition of a new tactical burn building.
"This improved and new fire search and rescue training facility will provide an excellent environment for training KCFD personnel to best prepare them to protect the citizens of Kansas City," Chief Richard "Smokey" Dyer said. "The kind of hands-on experience gained as a result of this training facility will greatly enhance emergency service to the all areas of the city."
The improvements and additions to the training facility were designed by Shaughnessy Fickel and Scott Architects and constructed by Feyerherm Construction. The work completed on the existing training tower included new electrical service and structural repair. The new tactical burn building has two levels, three burn rooms, a maze area with detachable partitions for multiple configurations, an area to simulate elevated porch fires, forcible entry doors, a simulated smoke generator, dead-end corridor configurations and many other features.
Completion of this project helps to fulfill an overwhelming mandate by citizens; in August 2001, Kansas City voters supported a 1/4 cent sales tax for operation of the Fire Department, including capital improvements.
The City’s Capital Improvements Management Office is managing the completion of this project. For more information about this project and other priority projects for the Fire Department and the Capital Improvements Management Office, visit the CIMO Web site (www.kcmo.org/cimo).
Media inquiries about the Fire Department should be directed to Tricia Middleton, community service and media relations coordinator, (816) 784-9200; and inquiries about CIMO should be directed to Steff Hedenkamp, communications specialist, (816) 506-4630.
