NEXT LEVEL TRAINING FOR ALL

The CVCC Public Training Center opens doors for students & professional services across the region.

Down a winding road, tucked in the CVCC Public Safety Training Center, stands an impressive four-story building. If you’re lucky, you can watch it catch fire. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Hickory, the Burn Tower opened on CVCC’s campus last December. The Tower and the Training Center offer solutions for two needs: space and time.

Controlled burns are required for most fire protection simulations. In the past, both CVCC and public service departments could not hold these scenarios until donated structures became available. The time between one acquired structure and another could feel endless. After the building was destroyed, there was nothing left to practice with—and even safety procedures could not eliminate the risk of burning material that harmed the environment. Because of the Burn Tower, however, departments across the county and beyond can hold safer fire scenarios which fit their needs and their schedule.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC SERVICES EDUCATION

“Both CVCC and the City of Hickory have given a lot of time, resources, and energy into this project,” said Badgley. It’s not just here for students. All public safety agencies — whether in Hickory, Newton, Conover, or outside Catawba region — are free to utilize the facility. For example, local fire departments held an introductory scenario to get a better understanding of the Tower’s features before creating their own scenarios with firefighters or students.

The main burn room is coated with soot from floor to ceiling. Sweat is inevitable, especially since the burn room heats up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Air thermometers are strategically placed along the side of the Tower to help trainees monitor rising temperatures.

climb ladders to roll inside windows. The top deck offers 360-views of the remaining CVCC Public Safety grounds, which include a BLET Lot, Agriculture Rescue Site, and the latest ATV Rescue Course. The main goal is to continue expansion as technology advances within Public Safety industries.“We have multiple (public) agencies between two counties,” said Badgley, “and typically, they have to find land to train on. This Public Safety Training Center is a solution to give people their own area for training.”

Everyone is excited to use the ATV Course. It might appear to be a patch of woods, but the course includes tree stands, mannequin victims, and unique wilderness environments. Participants simulate hunting accidents and search for mannequins on the ground or in the trees. After blood, wounds, or other medical situations are addressed, the “victims” are transported via ATV to the front of the course. It might sound intense, but these fast-paced rescue scenarios are just what trainees are looking for.

Nimon Badgley, Dean of Community Development & Public Services Education at CVCC, celebrated the City of Hickory’s generous efforts to make this facility possible.

“I’ve stood inside at 600 degrees for 15 minutes,” said Rusty Graham, Director of CVCC’s Fire Protection Technology and Emergency Management programs. “When the building opened in December, we had to set the burn room up and heat it for the first time. When you’re in there at that level...it feels insane.” Filled with dark halls, a vaulted stairwell, trap doors, and window escapes, the Tower is also perfect for training in active shooter defense or medical emergencies. Students practice running in their weighted gear, learn how to knock down walls, and

CVCC’s programs accept donations from the community to help students familiarize themselves with industry-standard equipment. Through continued relationships with the City of Hickory and similar partners, CVCC hopes to offer relevant programs for professionals and students. Ultimately, this collaboration with the City of Hickory helps all trainees develop expertise in a variety of rescue scenarios, so our community can live and work with confidence.