FireFighting Facility Make-Over
By: Brittany Pelletz
Updated: January 19, 2009
For nearly 30 years, one of the training facilities out at D.C. Musick Field was used to train firefighters in the Big Country.The training facility was one of the most crucial parts of firefighter training.
"We want these firefighters, of course they become firefighters and hit the floor that they have some kind of experience, and knowing just what those conditions are gunna be," Abilene Firefighter, Gary Hamner said.
But for the past few years firefighters couldn't use the burn-room because of the wear and tear it's seen through so many fires.
"The fire conditions of us heating it up so many times over the years, the concrete is creaking; we've burnt the metal roof off," Gary Hamner said.
While firefighters risk their lives for the safety of others, some of the current training facilities were no longer safe for the firefighters.
"Over the time and heating this building up; it's become unstable and unsafe amd really we have worn it out with our training," Gary Hamner added.
The current facility will be torn down within the next 60 days.
"We're hoping the new facility, of course will be a state-of-the-art facility that will be used for years and years to come," Gary Hamner said.
Some of the materials for the new building are already on location and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of March.

