ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Some fire departments in Saint Louis County are banding-together for a new training center in Shrewsbury.
Richmond Heights Fire Chief Phil Goode tells KMOX News that the Central Core Fire Training Commission has picked a location in Shrewsbury to build a new training center.
"Four cities (Richmond Heights, Brentwood, Maplewood and Clayton) came together and formed a commission because they saw the need for a fire training facility that we didn't have in our area," said Goode on 'Total Information A.M.' "Since we live in a complex urban area, we feel like we need that type of facility to train our firefighters."
The design of the proposed training center in Shrewsbury would have cargo containers stacked on one another, similar to ones that the St. Louis County Fire Academy and Fenton Fire Protection District have.
"The building has to be over three stories high and also have to be able to burn in it," said Goode. "We looked at (St. Louis County Fire Academy and Fenton Fire Protection District) and liked what they had to offer and mirrored our to what they had."
Goode says firefighters would go inside and do fire simulation training with liquid propane and other materials.
"We try to get it as realistic as possible, with also the possibility that if something goes wrong, we can stop it immediately and also we have a quick turnaround time," said Goode.
"Using those types of materials to burn, the liquid propane kind of gives them the fire effect we want them to do. You're going to feel a little bit of heat"
Goode explains the worth of having a place where they stage fires.
"We're also looking at the skills it takes to get to the fire. Not necessarily putting out the fires, but actually what it takes to get to see the fire and put it out," said Goode.
He says they have about $2 million budgeted for the entire project and the life span of the training center will be around 20 years.
The Central Core Fire Training Commission's goal is to have a new fire training center built in Shrewsbury and operational by early next year, with the hope is to break ground by this fall.