Pharos-Tribune
CASS COUNTY, Ind. — Despite having 11 fire departments in its area, Cass County does not have a live fire training facility.
That is about to change. Travelers heading north on State Road 17 over the past few weeks may have noticed a growing structure being erected at the Cass County Emergency Management Agency.
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The four-story structure is the new fire training tower, being built for the benefit of all of the county’s fire departments, made possible by a grant from the Cass County Community Foundation.
The $30,000.00 grant to the Cass County Fire Association funded the purchase of shipping containers and other items that are starting to now take shape over the north Cass County skyline, according to a press release from the EMA.
Due to Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations for live fire training facilities, most existing fire department properties in the county are not conductive to hosting one. The EMA facility grounds are far enough away from other structures, roadways, utility lines and fuel storage to meet all of the permitting requirements.
The idea was pitched to the Board of Commissioners, and it was supportive of using the grounds to host the facility. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has already signed off on the permit for the new live fire facility.
The new facility will allow firefighters to get in-county training on a variety of topics including live fire training, ladder work, hose advancement, search and rescue and many other items. Currently, fire departments mark out of service to go to another community for this type of training or go without.
The facility will also be used by programs such as the Cass County Fire Academy, put on locally by a cooperative effort of are departments, or programs like the one at Century Career Center. In years past they too have had to travel out of county to complete live fire and other training requirements for certification. With many agencies, both paid and volunteer, being short on manpower and equipment, it is a strain to send personnel and trucks out of county to meet requirements.
The facility may also have an impact on insurance rates for county homes and businesses. Fire departments are graded by the Insurance Services Organization on topics including training they participate in each year. The presence of a training tower in the county, and the area departments utilizing the training tower, can increase the number of points fire departments receive on their ISO ratings. Better ratings translates to lower insurance rates.
The Cass County Emergency Management Agency, Logansport Fire Department and Cass County Fire District 1 are leading the charge to turn the project into a reality. Personnel from all three agencies have been to the site pouring concrete, welding, and other tasks that need done.
According to the press release, the real heavy lifting has come from community support. The support received so far includes:
- Grand Industrial donating crane and personnel time to stack the ten containers that comprise the structure;
- Cass County Highway Department preparing the ground, installing a new driveway and welding;
- Logansport Fire Department providing funding for the stone for the driveway and parking area;
- Logansport Utilities drilling holes for the Sono Tubes that serve as the foundation;
- Cole Hardwood donating lumber; and
- Home Depot providing discount on materials.
In the weeks and months ahead, volunteers and personnel from area fire departments will work to install doorways and stairs, safety features for the live fire training area and other components. The facility is expected to be completed by summer.
The county has established a special non-reverting fund to help with development and long-term maintenance and expansion of the training center. Anyone who would like to make a financial donation can send it to Cass County Fire Training Fund, c/o Cass County Emergency Management Agency, 1227 N State Road 17, Logansport, IN 46947.
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