Firefighters in Chattanooga and across the local region now have access to a state-of-the-art training facility.
“Our department deserves a modern, cutting-edge training facility that raises the bar for our firefighters,” says Chattanooga Fire Department Chief Phil Hyman. “We appreciate everyone who had a hand in taking our training capabilities to the ultimate level.”
The city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County funded the demolition of the dilapidated, 50-year-old tower behind the Police and Fire Training Center off Amnicola Highway and the construction of a new $3 million tower.
Demolition of the old tower started in October 2023. Debris was hauled away and site work was done to prepare for construction, which started in June 2024 and finished in March 2025.
The CFD aimed to create a live fire training structure that provides conditions similar to actual fire calls, including heat, smoke-filled hallways and rooms, and multiple floors where victims need to be rescued. Fire Facilities, a Wisconsin-based company that specializes in building steel fire training towers, handled construction.
Fire Facilities and Chattanooga fire officials first reviewed several recent projects that had innovative and unique characteristics. With the CFD’s input, Fire Facilities combined the best features to create what evolved into the new multifaceted Chattanooga Fire Training Tower.
The 8,053-square-foot tower gives firefighters the most comprehensive training possible, says Hyman. The structure is 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide and 73 feet long. It has six stories and features multiple burn rooms. It’s designed for live fire, search and rescue, high-rise fire operations, technical rescue, hose deployment drills, fire attack, ventilation, aerial ladder training, forcible entry, firefighter rescue scenarios and other courses that mimic real emergencies.
“This new structural-steel training tower will help to train future generations of firefighters for many years,” says John Schauf, central regional manager for Fire Facilities. “Working with a fire department that understands the importance of well-educated firefighters and the training necessary to develop the skills needed to be successful is always a pleasure.”
Chattanooga Fire collaborated with Fire Facilities and Symtech to design the different burn rooms. They include bedrooms, garage vehicle props, hallway rollovers, a balcony barbecue grill fire, and smoke machines that pipe fake smoke throughout the building to simulate zero visibility conditions.
Symtech’s props create a high level of realism with thermal output, realistic smoke and a unique sound generation system. The sound system includes speakers throughout the building that can emit more than 40 sounds, including dogs barking, babies crying, coughing and cries for help.
Equipment in the burn rooms can be used for a variety of training scenarios. For example, the garage burn room can be used for garage vehicle fires, garage content fires, loading bay scenarios, industrial rack fires, flammable liquids fires, extinguisher training and outdoor vehicle fires. There are wireless controls for the propane system and touch panel interface with data recording and remote diagnostics.
The CFD’s training division will use the new tower to teach current firefighters and academy cadets. The department will also utilize it during its Citizen’s Fire Academy to help community members and local leaders better understand the work of their fire department. It will also be made available to fire departments across Hamilton County and the region.
“The tower will give new and current firefighters here and elsewhere world-class training environments to sharpen their skills,” says CFD Training Chief William Andrews.