Many local sports teams have specialized facilities where they train for the next big game.
So Johnstown fire Chief Anthony Kovacic has for years been asking a simple but important question: Why are his professional firefighters training in abandoned buildings or in the street?
City officials now are closer than ever to resolving that problem, having applied for a $100,000 state grant that would help fund a new, four-story fire-training building in Johnstown.
And officials have identified some parcels of land that could host that facility.
“We’re pretty excited about this,” Kovacic said. “Hopefully, we can get the rest of the funding in line.”
Cambria County already has a well-developed, heavily used training site for firefighters in the Patton area.
Kovacic said that facility is “great.”
But geography is an issue: His firefighters train when they’re on duty, and they can’t respond to emergency calls in Johnstown when they’re polishing their skills in Patton.
So city firefighters have made use of blighted, abandoned properties in the city.
“We find out what’s set for demolition, and then we go into these facilities that are unsafe for habitation (in which) to train,” Kovacic said.
That can present safety hazards. And Kovacic noted that new regulations are making it more difficult to use such structures.
Aside from those issues, the chief said, the need for a dedicated training site is clear due to the fact that Johns-town’s firefighters train daily.
Officials have detailed plans for a structure that would alleviate those concerns.
While rugged and basic in design, the building would present opportunities to practice all types of firefighting and rescue situations, including the use of high-angle rescue techniques.
“This will give us a safe facility, and it will give us the opportunity to use things like aerial apparatus that often are impractical in a residential area,” Kovacic said.
He added that a Johnstown training site also could be used by city police and by other area fire companies.
There is no intent, Kovacic said, to compete with the Patton fire school.
“This will enhance what is available in the county,” he said.
The $100,000 grant, if approved, would provide about half the money needed to build the training structure.
“We’re just going to wait and see,” Kovacic said. “But it’s looking favorable that we’re going to get some money.”
Officials still would have to raise a significant amount of cash. And they must find suitable land, a task that might be made easier by Johnstown Redevelopment Authority.
Authority official Debbie Walter said there may be some parcels available near the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. Lower Works complex.
“We’ve been working with (the fire department) to show them some sites, and we will make every effort to accommodate their needs,” Walter said.
Local News
City firefighters training site may get boost
- Local News
-
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
A Johnstown area man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend, who died in August from an illicit drug that he allegedly gave to her while she was a patient at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
-
Somerset County teacher accused of using insulting names
School board members and administrators say they’re still investigating whether a teacher called her eighth- and ninth-grade algebra students names like “retard,” “idiot” and “moron.”
-
Seward tax preparer set to plead in federal court
A Westmoreland County tax preparer is scheduled to plead guilty or no contest to charges that he filed fraudulent income tax returns for his customers and asked some of them to lie to Internal Revenue Service investigators.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Police probing financial irregularities at Indiana County parish
State police say they’re investigating financial “irregularities” at a Catholic parish with five worship sites in Indiana County, after the local diocese reported the problems to police.
-
Video: Young bear, wolf play together
It’s like something out of a children's book: A bear cub meets a wolf cub and they become the best of friends. Even though they are different species and ferocious predators, the unlikely couple stays pals for life.
-
Two Cambria district judge offices to be cut
Two of Cambria County’s 10 magisterial districts could be eliminated as President Judge Timothy Creany looks at realigning boundaries to cut costs while taking into consideration caseloads of the district judges and population changes.
-
Westmont couple inseparable, even in death
People who knew James and Marjorie Landis of Westmont said the two were nearly always together.
-
Company buys valuables from people ready to unload
Jan Hagerich’s buffalo nickel was “healthy” – which was unhealthy for her finances.
-
Special Olympics return to region
More than 300 athletes eager to show off their skills, along with 135 coaches, will be coming to the region to take part in the 2012 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Johnstown man charged with giving fatal Methadone dose to girlfriend
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
