Akron Beacon Journal

Fire station

- Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@theeaconjo­urnal.com

Ward 2 Councilwom­an Susan Spinner, who sits on the Planning Commission, said while she understood the residents’ concerns, the burn tower was needed for critical training.

Other facilities, including Fire Station 5, were studied as possible locations — but none were feasible.

“It has to go somewhere, and this is the ideal location,” Spinner said.

Frank Stams, the Ward 8 representa­tive, which includes the fire station, said he still has concerns about the burn tower; he cast the lone dissenting vote.

“This is a big concern for the residents there,” he said.

The $8.3 million fire station, which will be built at 849 Bath Road, will include the fire station itself, the burn tower and a building that will be used for classroom space.

Firefighte­rs use burn towers to practice skills such as fire extinguish­ment, venting and search and rescue.

The fire station would be a 6,000square-foot, single-story building with three to four equipment bays, a day

The new training facility, which would include classroom areas, plus two indoor bays for equipment, would be near the fire station. A separate burn tower, not pictured, also has been proposed.

room, a workout room, a kitchen, a watch office, sleep quarters for six fire personnel, restrooms and showers, an equipment storage room and a decontamin­ation and laundry room.

Carrie Snyder, a Cuyahoga Falls city spokeswoma­n, said that after the constructi­on renderings were finalized, constructi­on could start.

Fire Chief Chris Martin said constructi­on

could begin next year.

“As of now, we anticipate breaking ground in the spring of 2024 with a completion date of summer 2025,” Martin said.

The current fire station would be used until the new facility is complete.

 ?? IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CUYAHOGA FALLS ??
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CUYAHOGA FALLS

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