SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Schuylkill County firefighters have a new burn building for training and it is now ready to use. Firefighters, Elected Officials and the general public gathered at the Schuylkill County Fire Training Grounds outside Frackville on Sunday, April 22 at 2 PM for the dedication ceremony.
The program kicked off with emcee Dave Sattizahn, President of Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association (SCVFA), welcoming the crowd and leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following the Pledge, an invocation was given by Rev. Fred Crawford, chaplain of SCVFA.
Eric Eichenberg, Minersville fire chief and chairman of the burn building project, gave a history of the burn building and told of some details that went into the new burn building which was designed by RDG Planning & Design. The 1.5 million dollar building was built by Performance Construction.
Pottsville fire chief Jim Misstishin followed and spoke about the expanded training opportunities the new building will give firefighters and other emergency personnel from Schuylkill County and beyond.
Tom Slane Sr., SF2DO Board Chair, spoke of bringing fire officials, elected officials, business officials and other public representatives together to raise the funds needed for this project and make sure the facility will continue to serve in the future.
Elected officials including Senator David G. Argall spoke along with Representatives Mike Tobash, Neal P. Goodman and Jerry Knowles. Schuylkill County Commissioners George Halcovage Jr., Frank Staudenmeier and Gary Hess also gave remarks. All speakers were excited about the fact that fire companies, business leaders and other donors all stepped up to the plate to make this project a reality. Commissioner Halcovage brought some young people up to the podium and told the crowd that these future generations of firefighters will be able to train in this building and serve the community thanks to the hard work of all the people involved in this project.
Monsignor Bill Glosser, an active firefighter and State Fire Instructor, said a prayer and then blessed the new building with Holy Water.
Eichenberg and Sattizahn then moved to the front steps of the building and cut the red ribbon, officially opening the new building to loud cheers from those gathered.
Tours were then given throughout the building where firefighters, contributors and elected officials saw the intricate details and many hours of thinking that went into the design of the building. Guests were also provided food and refreshments catered by Hess Catering.
No time will be wasted getting the new burn building into action as the first Structural Burn Session will be held this coming Saturday.
