Training Facility Grand Opening

The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District held the grand opening of their new Training Facility on June 11th, 2022. The day was supported by the citizens of the district, district personnel, board of directors, architects and builders, as well as personnel from other fire districts. The new building is a “Class B” (propane) live-fire training structure with multiple props on the first and second stories, as well as a car fire prop and propane tank fire prop. The building will allow crews to train closer to home rather than traveling out-of-district to Glenwood Springs, Rifle, or Dotsero to complete live burns. The district designed the building to support trainings of all kinds including EMS, hazmat, commercial structure fires, technical rescues, firefighter rescue, and ground / aerial ladder operations. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Section Chief of Professional Qualifications and Training, and Unit Chief of Training both attended to witness the use of the new facility which will help certify and renew current and future firefighters in the area. In addition to intermittent building tours, the public got a chance to see the facility in use with three car fire demonstrations and three structure fire demonstrations, all with live fire. Members of the district barbecued up some dogs and burgers for attendees. The department will be hosting a variety of classes in the near future to help break it in, including a firefighter rescue and survival course and Firefighter 1 academy beginning in August of 2022.