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The new training center will be located at the curve on Law Street. There was previously a dilapidated trailer at the property. It has since been cleaned up and millings have been added to create a pad. Chief Graham says it will take multiple years to complete the training area. Each year they will add a small bit to complete the project. “We will still be required to go to the County Training Facility to accomplish any live fire training,” says Chief Graham. (Provided information and photos/ City of Batavia Fire Chief Joshua Graham)
As the Chief of the City of Batavia Fire Department I have analyzed our costs and training practices along with command staff and have determined that the City can conduct more training at a lower cost by having training space located within the City.
Currently, the City of Batavia Fire Department conducts six training events annually at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, located outside the City of Batavia.
When conducting training, off-duty personnel report to the training center on their scheduled days off, while our first-due engine (first responding vehicle) and ladder truck and crew must remain in the City.
City Fire’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the City of Batavia, and therefore, we must have an on-duty shift present to guarantee a swift and effective response. Consequently, the city incurs overtime costs to accommodate training on these six occasions. Additionally, due to family obligations and other concerns, personnel are not always able to attend training during their time off, which can lead to additional strain on our members and cost to the City.
The skills practiced during these training events are vital to the success of the City of Batavia Fire Department (CBFD). However, these skills cannot be fully developed while crews are on duty, as we lack the necessary training facilities and training tools. Repetitive practice of perishable skills, as well as the adoption of new techniques, is essential to maintaining our proficiency in this field.
The new training area is a multi-year project located on City owned property. The ultimate goal is to create a training building constructed from Connex boxes (shipping containers), which will serve dual purposes for both structural training and prop storage.
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(Provided photo)
The new training center will not be a live fire training area, meaning no actual fires will be burned at the location. Modern technology allows us to use smoke machines that simulate low-visibility conditions encountered by our firefighters.
This simulated “smoke” is non-toxic and dissipates quickly once it exits the structure. We will also use the facility for vehicle extrication training, employing vehicles that have been drained of all fluids, with batteries and hydraulic pistons removed. This ensures that there are no environmental hazards.
The City does not use firefighting foam containing Perfluoroctane Sulfonate (PFOS).. The state restricts its use to extreme life-or-death situations, and the associated costs make its use impractical for training. Instead, alternatives such as dish soap will be used when necessary.
This new training facility will enable our members to practice life-saving skills while on duty, reducing the need for off-duty personnel to attend training and alleviating the stress on our staff. It will provide regular training opportunities, rather than the current limited schedule, and over time, it will generate cost savings by reducing the need for overtime pay for off-duty training. Importantly, this facility will operate without any environmental concerns or risks to the surrounding community.