Oshkosh, WI, Fire Chief Asks for $7.7M for Training Facility

Nov. 8, 2024
Currently, firefighters train in empty parking lots and abandoned buildings, Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley said.

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.

 

 

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Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.