County fire officials are working toward a new firefighter training facility in North Chapel Hill to replace older, deteriorating facilities.

This week, Chapel Hill Fire Chief Matt Sullivan and officials from other fire departments across the county met with the Chapel Hill Town Council to discuss the rezoning to the proposed training site on Millhouse Road near the Eubanks Park-and-Ride and other town facilities.

Sullivan spoke about the long-standing need for a facility equally accessible to all county departments.

“The existence and need for a fire training facility in Orange County to serve all departments has been an issue we’ve been struggling with for some time.”

The current building used to train firefighters in simulated fire emergencies is several years over its intended 30-year lifespan. To help show just how old the current facility is, Sullivan brought the council a news article from the facility’s first drills in the late 1980s. A picture from the news story shows Sullivan taking part in firefighting drills and identifies the now decades-long veteran as a “rookie.”

“In that picture you’ll see me, in 1988, as a public safety officer, going into the…smoke,” he said at the May 8 meeting. “I’m in the front, yes ma’am. That is me.”

Many things have changed since those first exercises at the multiple-story concrete training structure, including new town growth into neighboring areas. Fire officials say they’d like to see their training facility moved away from the busy intersection at Weaver Dairy Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the new residential developments springing up nearby.

Ultimately, the training facility will be used by all of the different Orange County fire departments, so officials are looking for a permanent location more central in the county: possibly somewhere around Hillsborough, Sullivan said. For now, this proposed location would be temporary.

“I don’t know how long that will take,” Sullivan said. “At least five years we’ll be on Millhouse. In the event the county can identify a location, then we’ll move it.”

The project is on a tight deadline. Funding is coming from a FEMA grant that needs to be used by this September.

The Town Council could hold a vote in June to allow the placement on Millhouse Road.

Related Stories
‹
Merritt's Grill Opening Second Location in Chapel Hill; Einstein Bros. Bagels Opening First
Merritt’s Grill, whose BLT sandwiches have been a staple of the Chapel Hill culinary scene since the restaurant opened in 1992, is opening a second location at Finley Golf Club. The restaurant will provide dine-in, to-go and catering services inside the newly refurbished Finley clubhouse. An on-course beverage cart and halfway house will also be […]
Chapel Hill: Town Council Member Louie Rivers
Chapel Hill Town Council Member Louie Rivers joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, August 6, discussing town news and events. He discussed his time on the council so far, including what has been surprising, and what has been most exciting. He shared his priorities for the council for the rest of the […]
The Morning News: Legion Road, ArtsOrange, Jason Johnson, Bill Belichick
In today's news: Chapel Hill provides an update on the future of its 36-acre property on Legion Road, with a pond slated for removal.
Chapel Hill Police Creates Team to Investigate Vehicle Break-Ins; 14 Reported Over Weekend
The department said it responded to 14 vehicle break-ins over the weekend, and 320 so far in 2026. The team will focus on finding patterns.
Chapel Hill: Growth and Development, Carolina North, Legion Pond
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 30, discussing town news and events. She talked about a chamber event on growth and development she had attended earlier that day, which included updates on the North South Bus Rapid Transit project, and more. She also shared updates on UNC's Carolina North Plans, the Legion Road property and pond, and more.
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate Locally
The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
Chapel Hill Shares LUMO Draft, Which Could Reshape Development Standards and Housing Types
After nearly a decade since Chapel Hill first launched plans to rewrite its land use management ordinance, or LUMO, a draft has arrived.
The Morning News: Educator Pay, Blood Shortage, Return of Arts Mill
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with the morning news. In today's news: We hear from the president of the North Carolina Association of educators on the shortcomings of teacher pay in the new budget; we hear of a national blood donation shortage; an energy company in Durham faces a hefty fine; the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen soon; a longtime Carrboro-area bar is getting a new owner and a rebrand, and more.
Chapel Hill: Weather Update, LUMO Draft Availability, Public Info Session
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 23, discussing town news and events. She discussed the recent inclement weather, and discussed preparedness for future inclement weather as we get further into hurricane season. She also talked about the Land Use Management Ordinance re-write, and the opportunities for public feedback on that draft document. She previewed an upcoming public information session, National Night Out, and more.
On Air Today: Rewriting Chapel Hill's Land Use Management Ordinance
The town of Chapel Hill is rewriting its Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO for short) for the first time since 2003.
›