Farmington-Avon Fire Training Facility Receives $200,000 State Grant

Editor’s note: We published this story earlier in the week, but here it is again in case you missed it.

On Tuesday, the town of Farmington received a $200,000 grant from the State Bond Commission, which will provide for the construction of a firefighter training facility in Farmington that will be shared with the town of Avon.

“I am extremely pleased that this facility will come to fruition thanks to the hard work and generosity of the many volunteers, contributors, public safety personnel and community leaders,” said State Rep. Mike Demicco in a statement. “This training center will enable the firefighters of Farmington and Avon to more fully develop the skills and safety precautions necessary to protect themselves and our communities. I’d like to also thank Governor Malloy for his support in improving firefighter training in Avon and Farmington.”

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The facility will consist of a 1,100 square foot building that will be built to resemble a house and support Class A fires to allow fire fighters the opportunity to practice working under live fire conditions.

It will be located on Round Hill Road in Farmington on a parcel of land purchased by the town and adjacent to the existing police firing range.

With zoning approval and feasibility studies already complete, this $200,000 brings firefighters to their fundraising goal of $1 million to begin construction.

“The Training Facility committee is thrilled to hear that we received the grant from the State of Connecticut,” said Tunxis Hose Chief Richard Higley, Sr., Chairman of the Live Fire Training Facility Committee. “We’re extremely grateful for the work to secure this grant by our Director of Emergency Services and our State legislators. The Training Facility Committee has worked extremely hard to raise the current $800,000 and is most appreciative to receive this $200,000 state grant.”

Mary-Ellen Harper, Director of Fire & Rescue Services for the Town of Farmington, who collaborated with Representatives Demicco and Brian Becker and Senators Beth Bye and Terry Gerratana on this grant, said, “The Town of Farmington and Avon Fire Departments have literally been working on this project for more than a decade. Achieving the $1 million fund raising goal to make this project a reality was the result of thousands of hours of work by dozens of fire fighters in two towns.”

Becker added, “The burn building is a necessary and critical piece of the training program for these firefighters who give so much of themselves to keep our communities safe. This project is a great example of two towns working together with a common goal to improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars as well.”

“Both the Farmington and Avon fire departments are overwhelmingly staffed by volunteers, and they have 25,000 people and 10,000 homes to protect,” said Bye. “There’s no question that this shared fire training building is going to benefit the firefighters and better protect lives and property in these two towns.”

Gerratana added, “This is a collaborative effort between two neighboring towns that will enhance the skills needed for firefighters to more effectively put out fires where the end result is better public safety for all of us. After many years of planning and fund raising, I am proud to see this project receive the remaining funding to move forward with construction.”

Photo: Farmington and Avon officials thank Reps. Mike Demicco, Brian Becker and Gov. Malloy at State Bond Commission meeting July 28.

From left:

Richard Higley Sr., Chief of Tunxis Hose Company No. 1 and Live Fire Training Facility Chair

Timothy Vibert, Retired Chief of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department

James Dipace, Retired Chief of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Brandon Robertson, Avon Town Manager

Nancy Nickerson, Farmington Town Council Chair

Mary-Ellen Harper, Director of Fire & Rescue Services

Governor Dannel Malloy

State Representative Mike Demicco

State Representative Brian Becker

Kathleen Eagen, Farmington Town Manager

George Reider, Live Fire Training Facility Committee Member

Carole King, Live Fire Training Facility Committee Member

Dennis Frazao, Town of Farmington Firefighter

Bonnie Sudell, President of the East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department

Photo courtesy of Jim Carson.