Fire operations building expected to be completed in Pomona by end of year
Land at Rockland's Fire Training Center in Pomona will become a new fire operations building.
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Land at Rockland's Fire Training Center in Pomona will become a new fire operations building, likely by the end of this year.
"We're looking at a December, to mid-December time frame, where it will be complete. That's the ultimate goal. That's just based on time frames and a lot of patience, that's all it comes down to," says Chris Kear, the director of Rockland Fire and Emergency Services.
Kear, who is also a Rockland volunteer firefighter, shared the details after News 12 learned some other volunteers questioned the project's status.
"Well, it's coming. It's been a while, but we're going to get it done. And this is not for me or anyone, this is for the fire service, and it's important that we train our firefighters effectively," he says.
The project started about 14 months ago.
Kear says the final stage of bids to figure out who will construct it ended today, and now begins the review process - then contracts.
He believes the foundation will start sometime this summer.
The building will be equipped with the ability for Rockland's bravest to train for things like search and rescues, scenarios involving firetrucks, propelling from buildings and much more.
"Here, we're going to practice everything and to practice everything only makes us that more efficient when we respond to calls for service," says Kear.
Departments have still trained frequently at their own firehouses, and sometimes travel to nearby northern Jersey and Orange County. Rockland's future building will be an all-in-one training tool close to home.
