Blue Grass Airport’s Regional Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training center has expanded and modernized. Lauren Simmerman is the community relations manager for the Lexington airport. She said the center is about 4,200 feet larger and features new equipment.
“We're excited to see some updates within the facility there and also be able to accommodate some more classmates,” she said.
According to a news release, the $4.8 million project includes a larger classroom, a new simulator and more space for storage, apparatus and cleaning. Simmerman said the regional training center is just one of a dozen across the country that are airport-operated and firefighters from 30 states and other nations train there.
“Something that a lot of people don't realize is that, you know, every airport is required to have firefighters on duty at all times, and with that comes some specialized training specific to aircraft rescue and firefighting,” she said.
Simmerman said the center already had mockups of Boeing and Airbus planes and a Blackhawk helicopter that instructors set ablaze for training purposes.
