Gatlinburg Fire Department Unveils Public Safety Training Center

The Gatlinburg Fire Department unveiled a new Public Safety Training Center at Fire Hall Number One on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Funded by the United Way of Sevier County and donations of area businesses, the department built a 3,000 square foot structure where they can hone their fire fighting skills.

Built to resemble a two-story house or a multi-resident property, the interactive training facility is equipped with a smoke machine to provide firefighters authentic fire fighting scenarios including: forcible entry, search and rescue, ladder rescue, ventilation, sublevel rescue, and more. The facility is also equipped with meters for electrical and gas emergency training and a standpipe that pressurizes fire hoses with air for a realistic simulation.

Gatlinburg fire fighters designed and built the training facility with the help of a United Way of Sevier County Grant for $8,400 and additional donations from area businesses. The department utilized an unfinished space in the basement of the Fire Hall that had been used as storage for Christmas lights.

Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller at the Public Safety Training Center

We are so grateful to the City for allowing us to utilize this space for a training facility for police officers and fire fighters,” said Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller. “In addition to fire fighting training, we can hold community classes here. We can teach people to have a home fire escape plan and where to install their smoke alarms. The possibilities are endless with this facility.”

The project was completed with the assistance of: The City of Gatlinburg, United Way of Sevier County, Home Depot, A&W Ready Mix, 84 Lumber, Advanced Restoration, 90×4, Gatlinburg Community Police Programs and Gatlinburg Fire Fighters Association. For more information about the project, contact the Gatlinburg Fire Department.