After more than 25 years of hard work and commitment a brand new fire training facility in Springfield, MA, held it’s opening ceremonies.

Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan says that it is a “wonderful campus” located on 100 Grochmal Avenue. The training grounds will service the needs of the surrounding fire departments and allow new techniques to be learned and put into the field.

Coan remarks, “I believe it will improve their ability as firefighters as they will be able to receive training that frankly was difficult for them to receive because of the distance to Stow.” The nearest training facility before this new one was the Department of Fire Services, located in Stow, Massachusetts.

Instead of being just a training center for those who are already fire fighters, this campus will also be one for new recruits. The building houses classrooms where the recruits will be taught about different tactics and levels of safety. It will be their home while becoming a fire fighter.

Springfield Fire Department Acting Training Director Robert McCaffrey said, “Things change, the way we fight fires today is different than years back. In the future, it is going to change again.”

The training that this academy will provide to those who are up and coming will keep them safe throughout their career as a firefighter. These are the men and woman that will run into a burning building while others run out says Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

The center did, however, take a chunk out of the city and state’s savings. It cost approximately $13.4 million to put in. Most of the community agreed with the city’s choice to put their money into the construction of this center, but some thought that the city could use their money more wisely.

Alyssa Stevens ’16, who lives in West Springfield says, “I think the new training center will be worth the investment and help keep our community safe.”