GENEVA — Years of fundraising and planning are about to go up in smoke and that’s a good thing, Geneva Lt. Dale Arkenburg said.
“I am very excited to announce that the Austin Road fire training center is ready for construction,” he said. “Everything is at the site and the driveway is in. All we are waiting for is for the weather to finally, finally break.”
The center, which will be built on Austin Road north of the recycling center, will consist of two parts: a training facility with repelling capabilities and interior stairwells and a structure to simulate interior fires.
Emergency medical services, police, HAZMAT and neighboring fire departments will also use the facility to advance the level of training for local emergency crews.
Training at the center will be used to reduce injuries, reduce property damage, increase efficiency, and for regional training with other emergency crews, Arkenburg said.
The fire training center will be dedicated to Geneva Fire Capt. John McCroden, who died in the line of duty in 1995. memory for the training and safety of firefighters and other first-responding emergency crew members, Arrkenburg said.
Arkenburg said construction of the center will take three to five months.
“I hope to have it fully up and running by the fall,” he said.
Fundraising for the tower has come from several sources, including large checks from the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The fire department’s annual golf outing is the main fundraiser for the training center, bringing in $5,000 each year in participation and sponsorships, Arkenburg said.
The outing is scheduled this year for Aug. 9 at the Geneva-on-the-Lake Municipal Golf Course. Arkenburg is recruiting sponsors for the event. To play or sponsor the event, call 440-446-3321.
Local News
Fighting fire with fire in Geneva
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
