Power poles were installed late last week. The pole pictured above features a transformer prop that will simulate a variety of electricity related incidents, such as downed or arching power lines.

Completion of the Lee Broadbent Training Center is rapidly approaching. We hope to celebrate the opening mid-October. Here are some recent photographs of the facility.

Paving began at the training center today. All areas immediately surrounding the training structures will be paved so that apparatus participating in exercises have easy access. The tower structure is erect and siding will begin going up soon.

Updated photographs from the training center.

Driving into St. Helens on the South side of town yesterday, you couldn't help but notice the tall yellow frame rising into the sky at the training center grounds. Construction on the 6-story building began on Thursday with the placement of the steel frame. Division Chief Ron Youngberg told members of CRFR that, "From here on out, it appears that work will be progressing non-stop on the site." He also mentioned that the Tech Rescue Tower is scheduled for assembly beginning May 1st.

A great deal of activity at the Lee Broadbent Training Center will begin this week. The most notable being construction on the training tower will begin mid-week. The 6 story tower will be the main training facility on the center grounds and will allow firefighters to train in live fire.

The Specialized Multi-Agency Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.), made up of firefighters from Columbia River Fire & Rescue, employees from Boise Paper and the City of St. Helens, have spent the first few days of April training. One of the scenarios was a confined space rescue with extrication. Team members utilized the vertical tank at the training center to practice their rescue techniques.

At our annual awards recognition dinner on February 23rd, we honored Board of Directors President Lee Broadbent with a special plaque for his dedication to this project. The plaque reads:

"Build it and they will come"

Heartfelt thanks for your vision, passion and tenacity in leading us to our long-sought-after goal of Fire Training Center for firefighters of Columbia River Fire & Rescue.

During the past few months, construction efforts have slowed due to weather. As we approach spring, we will begin to see more activity at the construction site. The facade of the Fast Trainer building is coming together. The building has four storefronts, one with a second story and so far, is the only building erect.

In less than two weeks, we again see some significant changes to the landscape of the training center grounds.

The FAST Trainer building is showing significant progress. Siding installation began in late December. The structure will represent storefronts to be used in a variety of training applications. In the foreground, preparation was being done for what will eventually be a storage facility for props and equipment that cannot be stored outside.