County To Build “World Class Fire Academy”

Washington County Commissioners acquired the Washington County Fireman’s Association Fire Academy on Thursday. The deed transfer for the 32 acre site in Chartiers Twp. was approved unanimously at the commissioners voting meeting on Thursday. Commissioners then approved two measures authorizing advertisement for bids to design and build a “burn building” and to acquire assorted security equipment associated with the facility. Currently, the fire academy is in need of significant updates. While several fire companies and the county SWAT Team still use the facility for fire training, CPR training and other training and continuing education purposes, several fire companies have found other places to train. They point to the condition of the current burn building as a major reason they have moved elsewhere. According to Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that the new academy will make the county an integral training hub. It will be a revenue generator for the county that will allow fire companies from not only Washington County, but all other counties in the region and other states to come in and train. The facility would be able to handle training not only for fire but for police and EMS also.