Enhancing Local Fire Safety: SWOCC Unveils New Training Tower on May 23

Southwestern Oregon Community College will introduce its new Fire Training Tower at an open house on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The event is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. The college invites the public, students, firefighters, and partners to celebrate this addition to their facilities.

The Fire Training Tower is a four-story facility costing $1 million, designed to improve training in fire and rescue operations. It will benefit students at the college pursuing careers in firefighting and emergency response, and will also support regional safety and disaster response training.

The tower will serve as a training location for fire departments in western Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties, allowing them to train locally. Columbia Pacific Maritime will also offer maritime firefighting certification classes at the facility, providing new opportunities for mariners.

The 36-foot tower is made of steel and complies with International Building Code and National Fire Protection Association standards. It supports various training activities such as interior search and rescue, live fire drills, and maritime fire response. The facility is suitable for both daytime and nighttime training.

College President Patty Scott noted the tower was planned and built over three years with the help of local fire departments. The project enhances the college’s fire science program and supports training for rural volunteer firefighters.

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