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
‹
On Air Today: Glenn Boothe of AndMoreAgainPresents Talks Concert Promotion
Glenn Boothe of AndMoreAgainPresents joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, July 17. He discussed recent concerts he's attended, and looked ahead to some he's looking forward to. He also discussed a recent trip to Minneapolis for a conference of independent concert promoters and venue owners, and more.
Patrick Greene Named as Next Principal of Chapel Hill High School
The CHCCS Board of Education has confirmed the appointment of Patrick Greene as the next principal of Chapel Hill High School.
The Morning News: Orange County's Wolf Dogs, Five Years Later
In today's news: we revisit the wolf dogs who captivated our community when they went loose in Cedar Grove five years ago.
Chapel Hill: The Land Use Management Ordinance Rewrite Draft Goes Live
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 16. She discussed the release of the town's long-awaited rewrite of the town's Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO). She outlined the key tenants of the current document, and also recounted the history of the document and the reason for the rewrite. She previewed some community outreach on the document and talked about the timeline going forward. She also previewed some upcoming events and more.
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor
The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, July 13. He discussed an eventful weekend that involved rescuing a stray cat. He also talked about the latest on Chapelboro social media platforms, including a recent increase of attention on Instagram, and more. 
Chapel Hill: Chantal Anniversary, State Budget, Summer Schedule
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, July 9, discussing town news and events. She talked about the after effects of Tropical Depression Chantal. She also talked about the passage of the state budget, which could includes potential Chantal Relief funds, and more. She also talked about the summer schedule for the town council, which includes some community outreach on LUMO, an more.
Combination Jimmy John's, Baskin-Robbins Store Coming to West Franklin Street
A combination Jimmy John’s and Baskin-Robbins store will soon open on West Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. The store is located at 143 West Franklin Street, Suite 90, in the same building which houses Target. The suite was most recently occupied by pūrvelo cycle. Currently, neither Jimmy John’s nor Baskin-Robbins have any open stores […]
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
Chapel Hill Man Wins $200,000 Lottery Prize on Scratch-Off Ticket
Kevin Valdez of Chapel Hill won the top prize of $200,000 on a $5 scratch-off ticket, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a release Wednesday. Valdez bought his lucky ticket for the Cash King game from the Short Stop convenience store on West Main Street in Carrboro. He arrived at lottery headquarters in Raleigh […]
›