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LAYTON — A new training facility for firefighters opened in Davis County Tuesday. It gives firefighters, SWAT members and those from other departments the chance to train for many types of real-life situations.
"We've been working on this for many years," said Battalion Chief Jared Sholly of the Layton City Fire Department. "Training is how our firefighters protect themselves."
The training includes everything from rappelling and firefighter survival to victim recovery. The new $1.3 million facility can accommodate practice on live fires, staircases, and just about every type of situation.
"It will make our firefighters safer, with a lot better chance of survival," Sholly said.
The facility includes two buildings — one for equipment and training storage, the other for the live action that firefighters can't wait to start using.
"I think they are pretty excited," Sholly said.
The facility is now the main hub in Davis County for training, including for new recruits.
"All of the department has been offered to come out here and train," Sholly said.
In 2000, Layton's fire department lost one of its own. The new tower will serve to keep other firefighters out of harm's way.
"We will train so that none of our other firefighters will get hurt," Sholly said.
Traditional training involves using an unoccupied building, but that method can be dangerous.
"It can be costly and it can be time consuming. We get limited time with it, as well," Sholly explained.
Although the new facility cost more than $1 million to build, Layton Mayor Steven Curtis said in the long run the building will be well worth every penny.
"It's paid for. We didn't borrow any money for this," Curtis said.
