SPRINGFIELD – Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, regional legislators and fire officials to officially dedicate the new Department of Fire Services Springfield campus.
“This critical expansion of the Department of Fire Services’ infrastructure will better serve the fire service of western Massachusetts and will make a significant contribution to the Commonwealth’s public safety and preparedness,” said Polito.
The opening of the new facility means that firefighting trainees in the western part of the state will have much easier access to complete their training. Previously, they had to travel to the Department of Fire Services Headquarters in Stow.
“This new facility is an example to all of us that cooperation and persistence pays off,” said Rosenberg. “We have been working together at the state and local level for more than two decades to turn this dream into a reality. Today’s dedication comes at the end of a long journey to ensure that our firefighters have the tools and training they need to help them protect the public.”
“Transforming this site into a state-of-the-art facility will allow all Massachusetts firefighters better access to the latest training and all the other services the Department of Fire Services has to offer,” said Bennett.
In addition to serving as a firefighter training facility, the campus provides office space for the Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit’s West Team and the Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit’s western Massachusetts staff. Special Operations vehicles will also be stationed there.
“The job of firefighter is extremely demanding and the training requirements are constantly increasing,” said Coan. “That is why the ability to provide this premier training platform closer to where firefighters in the westernmost part of the state work is so important.”
A new 9-week Recruit Firefighting Training class started on November 16.
This $13.4 million project was built on the site of the former Springfield Fire Training Center that the state bought from the city. The campus is a six acre complex with a three story live fire training prop burn building, a five story training tower, and a new administration and classroom building. The new building is roughly 18,000 sq ft with classrooms, locker and shower facilities, and three fire apparatus bays.
