In a blazing building, any delay can be deadly.
That is why the new fire rescue training tower that CCCC is building on its Harnett Main Campus will contribute to safer local communities.
Area firefighters, fire academy cadets, and other emergency services personnel will train on the fire-resistant three-story steel structure to build the skills, speed, and experience they need to save lives and property.
CCCC held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 26 for its Harnett Fire Training Tower, which is being funded with state dollars. The event was attended by emergency services personnel, local government and economic development leaders, and two state lawmakers: Sen. Jim Burgin and Rep. Joseph Pike.
As populations grow and economic development increases in CCCC’s three-county service area of Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties, demand for highly qualified emergency responders is high.
“First responders are always incredibly important,” said CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman in a press release. “When you have the kind of growth that we have, they become more and more important.”
Harnett County’s fire chiefs advocated to the state legislature for funding for the tower, seeking ways to enhance their talent pipeline and train their crews closer to home at reduced cost.
Training closer to home can reduce response times if crews are needed for a real-life emergency in their community during training.
Also, in addition to increased safety, better training for local firefighters can improve fire protection ratings, potentially lowering residents’ insurance costs and reducing liability.
Construction of the tower is set to begin later this year, with completion expected in 2027. The tower will be located in a cleared section of the wooded area behind the current educational facilities on CCCC’s Harnett Main Campus in Lillington.
The new fire tower will have four training levels, including the roof. It will include multiple burn rooms, which are thermally lined spaces where trainers can set fires with materials such as wood pallets or straw.
Trainees will get live-fire experience under realistic conditions without the dangers of an uncontrolled emergency scene.
They will face common hazards and obstacles such as smoke, heat exposure, and limited visibility, and tackle challenges such as stairwell operations and vertical rescue simulations.
For more information about CCCC’s Public Safety educational offerings, visit www.cccc.edu/estc.
Feature photo: CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman (center) breaks ground for CCCC’s new Harnett Fire Training Tower with assistance from Harnett County Provost Dr. Jon Matthews (left), State Rep. Joseph Pike (center left), State Sen. Jim Burgin (center right) and Harnett County Fire Chiefs Association President Brian Heath.
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