Oshkosh firefighters train in abandoned buildings and empty parking lots.
That's why Chief Mike Stanley is asking city officials for $7.7 million to renovate the former Army National Guard training building on the property where the department built a training tower four years ago, NBC26 reported.
“It's really an innovative and efficient use of our resources, you know, an opportunity to do something with what was an old building that we were just using for storage," the chief said, adding that it's imperative that crews are prepared to handle any type of emergency.
Stanley said a new training facility would help him recruit and retain firefighters. He pointed out that many nearby departments have state-of-the-art centers where crews can hone their skills.
Stations will need to be upgraded, but the chief said the training center is a priority.
Another ambulance and a full-time ambulance team are already included in the budget.
At a preliminary budget meeting, the Oshkosh City Council said it would put $7.7 million in a contingency fund as part of the city's capital improvement budget.
