An instructor at Fathom Tanks training facility in Texas speaks to students. FTCC is planning a similar facility. [Contributed photo]
Fayetteville Technical Community College announces plans to open an indoor swift water rescue training facility at its Regional Fire & Rescue Training Center, now under construction on Tom Starling Road.
Housed in an 8,400-square-foot building, the facility will allow emergency personnel to train year-round for a wide variety of dangerous swift-water and floodwater rescue situations.
The facility will include an 88,000-gallon tank that will allow emergency personnel to train year-round for a wide variety of dangerous swift-water and floodwater rescue scenarios. The tank will be equipped with eight pumps that can blast water at up to 7 knots per hour to simulate realistic flood situations.
The tank and technology will be provided by Fathom Tanks of Georgetown, Texas, which now operates an indoor facility to train emergency personnel in a variety of scenarios, including different weather, water temperatures, current flow, obstacles, rescue challenges and simulated rescues at night.
Vehicles and sections of buildings can be submerged in the tank for training scenarios.
The facility will also contain a classroom and locker rooms.
The $3.5 million project was approved unanimously by FTCC’s Board of Trustees on Monday, November 15. It must also be approved by the State Board of Community Colleges. That board may consider the proposal as early as this week.
If approved by the state board, FTCC hopes to open the facility in 12-18 months.
Students practice a swift water rescue at Fathom Tanks training facility in Texas. FTCC is planning a similar facility. [Contributed photo]
In an increasingly flood-prone world, it is essential that emergency personnel are trained in dealing with swift water and flood water rescues. But it can be difficult and dangerous to arrange such training on a regular basis in natural, outdoor settings.
FTCC’s indoor training facility could operate daily, providing a variety of training scenarios.
Meanwhile, certified swift water rescue personnel are required to undergo regular retraining to maintain their credentials. There are more than 40 certified swift water rescue teams in North Carolina.
“This facility will serve a critical training need for emergency personnel in Cumberland County, eastern North Carolina and beyond,” said FTCC President Dr. J. Larry Keen.
“Dangerous flood and swift-water situations can happen almost anywhere,” Keen said. “It is vitally important that emergency responders have specialized training in these instances. With this new facility, FTCC will be able to provide that training.”
For video footage of Fathom Tanks’ training facility in Texas, please click here and here.
For an example of a dangerous swift water rescue in Fayetteville, please visit this link, showing a flooding incident during Hurricane Matthew in Cross Creek Park on Green Street in downtown Fayetteville. The area shown is typically dry land.
Students train for a night rescue at Fathom Tanks training facility in Texas. FTCC is planning a similar facility. [Contributed photo]
