January 7-20, 2017 www.SanTanSun.com
Firefighters prepare to start training in new burn building BY TIM J. RANDALL
The Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department recently held its first live fire test in its new 9,000-square-foot burn building, which will be used for regular training starting early this year. “With its many different training features, this building is going to increase our training capabilities for our firefighters and our regional partners, helping us to provide our community with some of the best fire and life safety protection in the country,” said Val H. Gale Jr., City of Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department spokesman. Monies for the $2.9 million building were raised primarily from bond issuance, according to Gale Jr.. The burn building is a significant upgrade to the city’s existing 20-year-old facility. The threestory structure is located along the Price Corridor and allows public safety personnel to train in real-life scenarios involving hazardous materials, technical rescues and fire and medical incidents. “Live fire training will be the focus of the new burn building, but don’t let the name mislead you,” Gale Jr. said. “The Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department is an all-hazard response department and the new burn building was designed to accommodate all other rescue disciplines of the fire service as
The burn building is part of a plan that includes the construction of a 250-seat auditorium, classroom and office space.
well.” “Our Chandler firefighters actually participated in the design on this burn
building so it would accurately create the challenges they commonly face in our community,” he said.
It’s a multidiscipline facility. The structure’s multisided design may see a crew in training on one side of the facility facing a blaze at a single-family residence or a commercial building. Another crew on the structure’s north side could be trying to put out a warehouse conflagration, while a team on the facility’s east side might be working to contain an inferno at a multifamily residence. The facility also has custom-designed “burn rooms with high-temperature linings on the walls and floors so the firefighters can conduct live fire training, simulating actual fire conditions they encounter on the job,” he said. “This burn building is the only one in the region with the unique capability of simulating the actual challenges of basement fires. With the increasing popularity of basements in our community, this has become a very important training feature.” One of the primary advantages of the new facility is its classification as a Class A training center. Class A combustibles are wood, paper, fabric and refuse. “This will allow us to train our own firefighters as well as our regional partners in the latest tactics and strategies of fire dynamics by burning ordinary see
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3 set to be inducted into Celebration Plaza The Gila River Relocation Center was vast, holding 13,000 people, while Chandler only had a population of 3,000. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, Identifier 538649.
City to unveil historical kiosk at Nozomi Park BY TIM J. RANDALL
Most Americans know the story behind Pearl Harbor, but how many realize that Chandler played a role in a devastating part of history? The municipality is taking important steps to chronicle these events. “There was a Japanese-American incarceration camp just a few miles south of Chandler, called the Gila River Relocation
Camp,” said Jody A. Crago, museum administrator, Cultural Affairs Division, City of Chandler. “More than 16,000 Japanese Americans were held at some point at that camp during World War II.” To record this history properly, the City see
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Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the City of Chandler will honor two individuals and one organization by inducting them into Celebration Plaza at Tumbleweed Park during a special ceremony at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Former Chandler Mayor Kenny Thomas, Police Officer James Snedigar and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce will be recognized for their sacrifice, contributions and good works on behalf of the people of Chandler. Thomas served as mayor from 1976 to 1979. Snedigar joined the Chandler Police Department in 1995 and was killed in the line of duty in 1999. Formed in 1912, the same year that Chandler was founded, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce has advocated for Chandler’s businesses and community for more than 104 years. The public is invited to attend the ceremony that will be held at Celebration
Plaza, which is a permanent monument near the center of Tumbleweed Park, located on the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads. Celebration Plaza features a fountain and a decorative wall used to display brass plaques honoring organizations or individuals for their civic leadership, public outreach and outstanding personal service and commitment to the community. This year’s inductees will have their plaques added alongside the plaques for these previous inductees: Officer David Payne, Chandler Kiwanis Club, Chandler Lions Club, Coy Payne, Chandler Compadres, John H. Dick, Najeeby Basha, Jerry Brooks, Patti Bruno, Lowell Huggins, Detective Carlos Ledesma, Dave McDowell, Marty Wright, Eddie Basha Jr.,
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Kyrene to phase out guards’ apartments on campuses . . . . . . community . . . . . . Page 09 Eco-wise Element launches in Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . business . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Kids chefs needed for healthy cooking contest . . . . . . . . . . . . youth . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 33 Reminders for the upcoming tax season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . neighbors . . . . . . . . Page 54 Chandler celebrates diversity with renowned play . . . . . . . . . . . arts . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 58
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