North Las Vegas, Nev. – Fire Chief Joseph Calhoun celebrated the opening of the city’s first dedicated fire‑training facility, a project nearly nine years in the making. The new center provides a permanent, purpose‑built environment for both brand‑new recruits and seasoned firefighters to practice the techniques that keep families safe on the streets.
Investment in firefighters and the community
“To the men and women of the North Las Vegas Fire Department, this center belongs to you,” Calhoun said at the ribbon‑cutting ceremony. “It is an investment in you. It ensures that you have the tools, the training and the environment to perform at the highest level.”
The complex sits on roughly six acres of outdoor space, featuring a live‑fire training area, a future four‑story burn tower slated for next year, and more than 5,000 square feet of classroom space. An ambulance simulator allows crews to rehearse medical emergencies under realistic conditions.
From day‑one recruits to veteran crews
Calhoun explained that the facility will serve the department’s entire career pipeline. “This will give not only our brand‑new, day‑one recruits in our academy the ability to learn from scratch how to safely and effectively do their job, but it will also allow us to train our veteran firefighters to continue to do their jobs properly.”
He added that as North Las Vegas continues to grow, ongoing training becomes increasingly vital. “As a fire chief, I lose a lot of sleep over making sure that my people go home every day, and this is the way to do that—by making sure they have the very best training.”
Preparing for real‑world emergencies
The center is designed to replicate the variety of scenarios firefighters may encounter on the job. From structural fires to medical calls, the facility gives crews the chance to practice response tactics, equipment handling and teamwork in a controlled setting. “Everything we have here is going to help us better prepare for what we might see out in the streets,” Calhoun said.
The first cohort of recruits is scheduled to begin training at the new center on Monday, marking a milestone for the department and the city’s public‑safety infrastructure.
Community impact
Local officials praised the project as a tangible commitment to safety and resilience. By keeping training in‑house, the department reduces reliance on neighboring jurisdictions and ensures that North Las Vegas firefighters are prepared for the unique challenges of the rapidly expanding urban area.
Calhoun urged his crews to approach each drill with the gravity of real emergencies. “Each time you enter this training center, always remember to train as if lives depend on it – the lives of our community, your lives, and the lives of your brother and sister firefighters.”
The opening of the training center underscores North Las Vegas’ dedication to protecting families, supporting first‑responders, and strengthening the city’s emergency‑services capabilities for years to come.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
