Pelham Chosen As Site Of New Firefighter-Themed Attraction

PELHAM, AL - The National Center for Fire and Life Safety and the National Fire Protection Association announced Wednesday that a public fire and life safety education attraction, NFPA HEROES Experience, will be built on a site off Interstate 65 near County Road 52 and Highway 31. Work on the $100 million attraction is expected to begin in 2019.

This 100,000 square-foot attraction is the first of its kind, and is expected to become a tourist attraction bringing in visitors to Pelham from all over the country.

"This firefighter-themed attraction will be an incredible teaching tool to the public. One hundred percent education and 100 percent showmanship," NCFLS CEO Russell Jackson said in a release. "This project is a collaboration between local, state, and national organizations, emergency services professionals, and researchers–many recognized as the world’s leading authorities in fire and life safety.”

The NFPA HEROES Experience will combine a firefighters museum atmosphere with an interactive learning experience, Jackson said. The attraction will include stories, exhibits and experiences depicted to dramatize the importance of preventing fire and life safety measures.

Visitors will learn the history of fire and EMS service, the evolution of equipment, tool and techniques used and experience the modern-day mental and physical requirements of emergency personnel.

The attraction is expected to employ approximately 50 people.

Rendering from the NFPA