HOWELL, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders is holding a grand opening for the new Monmouth County Fire Academy on Saturday, Dec. 5, providing a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the needs of the county's firefighting contingent for many years to come.

 

The 22,841-square-foot facility more than doubled in size during the renovation and addition project. State-of-the-art classrooms were added to accommodate the more than 10,000 firefighters from Monmouth County and surrounding areas who come to the facility for training. 

 

"It was 10 years in the making, and due to all of the forethought that went into it and all of the careful planning we now have a first-rate training facility that is equipped with all the latest firefighting technologies," Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow said. "I would like to personally thank our Fire Marshal Tim Smith… who has worked on this project from conception to completion." 

 

Renovation and expansion of the main building cost $9.3 million, with a new outdoor burn pad still to be completed. Prior improvements include a new fire tower, which is used to train for multiple-story fires, and expansion of a pond that is used to supply water to fight the fires. 

 

"The county budgeted $10.3 million dollars for the project and I am pleased to say it came in on time and under budget," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said. "Monmouth County has the largest fire contingent in the New Jersey, and they often get called on to assist fighting fires all over the state. Now they have the very best training facility to help them learn how to protect us all."

 

"Monmouth County residents can rest assured that the training needs of their firefighters are being met," Freeholder Deputy Director John D'Amico said. "Few things are more upsetting than a fire in your home or business, putting lives and property in danger. Monmouth County has the best firefighters in the state, and now they have a training facility that is also the best in the state."   

 

Freeholder Robert D. Clifton, who oversee the county's Finance Department, said improvements to the Fire Academy were years in the making. "Money had been set aside as part of the county's overall capital needs assessment. We are happy to provide Monmouth County firefighters and the residents they serve with this beautiful new training facility. It will serve us all very well."

 

"Firefighters very often are our unsung heroes," Freeholder Amy A. Mallet said. "They truly put their lives in danger every time they enter a burning building. I am proud to on the Board at a time when we are unveiling this new facility so they be can be safe and do their jobs even better."

 

Even though the official completion date isn't until next month, the staff at the Fire Academy has already moved in and is working at the site.

 

"This project started in 1999 when Freeholder Ted Narozanick asked me to address the Board of Chosen Freeholders and outline short- and long-term needs," Smith said. "This facility was one of our long-term needs. We are very happy to be having a grand opening for this great facility."

 

The facility, located on Route 33 in Howell Township, now houses a large lecture hall, adequate office space, locker rooms for students and instructors, and all-purpose room, and several state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with the latest technologies.

 

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