NEW TRAINING TOWER GRAND OPENING: Realistic training environments are vital for keeping firefighters at the forefront of preparedness for the dangerous scenarios they face on the job. Now, firefighters in Chattanooga and across the area have access to a state-of-the-art training facility, ensuring they are ready to handle any situation they may encounter in the line of duty. On Wednesday (3/26/25), the Chattanooga Fire Department and Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management celebrated the grand opening of their new fire training tower off Amnicola Highway.
“This project has been a long time coming and our department deserves a modern, cutting edge training facility that will raise the bar in relation to training our firefighters,” said Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman. “The end result is beyond fantastic and we appreciate everyone that had a hand in this impactful initiative to take our training capabilities to the ultimate level.”
The City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County partnered on the project to fund the demolition of the dilapidated, 50-year-old tower behind the Police & Fire Training Center and the construction of a brand new $3 million tower in its place. Demolition of the old tower started in October 2023. Debris was hauled away and site work was done to prepare for construction which started in June 2024 and finished in March 2025. The goal was to create a live fire training structure that provides conditions similar to actual fire calls, including heat, smoke-filled hallways and rooms, and multiple floors where victims need to be rescued. Fire Facilities, a company based in Wisconsin that specializes in building steel fire training towers, made the vision a reality. Fire Facilities and Chattanooga fire officials reviewed several recent projects that had innovative and unique characteristics. With the CFD’s input and constant feedback, Fire Facilities combined the best features to create what would ultimately evolve into the new multifaceted Chattanooga Fire Training Tower.
The Chattanooga Fire Department was able to customize the 8,053 square foot tower in order to give firefighters the most comprehensive training possible. The structure is 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide, and 73 feet long. It has six stories and features multiple burn rooms. It is designed for live fire, search and rescue, high-rise fire operations, technical rescue, hose deployment drills, fire attack, ventilation, aerial ladder training, forcible entry, firefighter rescue scenarios and many other courses that mimic real emergencies.
“This new structural-steel training tower, with its innovative layout and features, will serve the Chattanooga Fire Department and surrounding departments for many years, helping to train future generations of firefighters,” said John Schauf, Central Regional Manager for Fire Facilities Inc. “It’s always a pleasure working with a fire department that understands the importance of well-educated firefighters and the training necessary to develop the skills needed to be successful. It is truly an indicator of an organization that has prepared for the future challenges of the fire service.”
Chattanooga Fire collaborated with Fire Facilities and Symtech to design seven different burn rooms. The tower has bedrooms, garage vehicle props, hallway rollovers, a balcony BBQ grill fire, and smoke machines that pipe fake smoke throughout the building to simulate zero visibility conditions. Symtech’s props create a high level of realism with thermal output, realistic smoke, and a unique sound generation system. The sound system has speakers all over the building with more than 40 sounds, including dogs barking, babies crying, coughing and cries for help.
Equipment in the burn rooms can be used for a variety of training scenarios. For example, the Garage Burn Room can be used for garage vehicle fires, garage contents fires, loading bay scenarios, industrial rack fires, flammable liquids fires, extinguisher training and outdoor vehicle fires. There are wireless controls for the propane system and touch panel interface with data recording and remote diagnostics.
Between practical evolution training, physical conditioning training, and live fire training, the new tower will be in constant weekly use by the CFD Training Division to teach current firefighters and cadets in our fire academies. It will be utilized during our Citizen’s Fire Academy to help community members and local leaders better understand the work of their fire department. It will also be made available to fire departments across Hamilton County and the region who will use it for improving the training of their personnel.
“The tower will give new and current firefighters world-class training environments to sharpen their skills,” said CFD Training Chief William Andrews.
Watch the construction time lapse here: New Chattanooga Fire Training Tower
Take a tour of the tower and it features here: Tour the New State-Of-The-Art Drill Tower!
