Lexington’s new fire training tower opened officially this week with a Wednesday ribbon-cutting, attended by Mayor Jim Gray, former Mayor Teresa Isaac, members of council and past and present fire officials.
The new five-story training tower just off Old Frankfort Pike replaces the former tower which sat on the same site for well over 40 years.
The previous structure was open on two sides while the new tower is completely enclosed.
Battalion Chief Chris Ward heads training for the fire division.
“We can simulate a high-rise. We can simulate standpipe operations where we’re operating out of a stair well onto a floor that might be on fire in a high-rise building,” said Ward. “That’s the main advantage this gives us.”
Battalion Chief Joe Best says the addition of the new fire training tower helped the city attain the highest Insurance Service Office rating of Class One. He says that rating can be beneficial when it comes to local insurance premiums.