Hollywood, Fla., 56th Avenue Public Safety Training and Maintenance Facility
Since 2004, Hollywood, Fla., has used a general obligation bond to bring its fire and rescue department up to date through the construction of two new fire stations and the purchase of another. The new stations offer technological capabilities that were not possible with the older stations. But the crowning jewel of them all is the recently completed 56th Avenue Public Safety and Maintenance Facility, which makes use of 9.7 acres of land that was formerly restricted for development.
Today, the area houses an 11,000-square-foot training center and a 15,000-square-foot, eight-bay maintenance garage and warehouse designed specifically for fire and rescue equipment and supplies. A four-story prefabricated metal training tower with burn props allowing for hundreds of different training scenarios is another feature of the project. With the new facility, Hollywood firefighters can pursue the ongoing training necessary to maintain the department’s Insurance Office Class 1 rating, which allows residents to take advantage of reduced home insurance rates. And, the facility enables firefighters to take care of training, vehicle maintenance and supply-stocking all in one stop.
“When firefighters come in for training, they can get their vehicles repaired, maintained and stocked with supplies all at one location rather than having to go all over the city like they used to,” says Bob Wertz, senior project manager. “And, firefighters from neighboring communities have also begun using our new center as a training site. It’s turning into a regional facility because it’s one of the best in the area.”
In addition to training and maintenance facilities for fire and rescue squads, the 56th Avenue campus also includes a one-acre area for the police department’s SWAT team and K-9 unit training. The area features a 12-obstacle course for SWAT and a 15-obstacle course for K-9, and is suitable for daytime and nighttime training.
More America’s Crown Communities 2010 winners
- The Coral Gables Museum Project – Coral Gables, Fla.
- Washington Park Stormwater Improvement Project – Downers Grove, Ill.
- 56th Avenue Public Safety Training and Maintenance Facility – Hollywood, Fla.
- Public Works Operations and Vehicle Storage Buildings – Pinellas County, Fla.
- Lakefront Park – Round Lake Beach, Ill.
- Heart Safe Sandy Springs – Sandy Springs, Ga.
- Return to the main “America’s Crown Communities 2010” page
