A state-of-the-art fire training tower in Mount Morris has earned national recognition for its impact on emergency preparedness across the region.
American City & County named Livingston County’s Fire Training Tower a 2024 Crown Communities Award winner, one of only six projects nationwide to receive the honor. The award celebrates innovative local government initiatives that deliver meaningful benefits to the community.
Completed in August, the four-story tower at the Hampton Corners County Complex has become a vital training site for fire departments, law enforcement, and emergency responders throughout Livingston and neighboring counties. Designed with burn rooms on multiple levels, the structure simulates a wide range of fire scenarios, including basement and second-story blazes.
“The Fire Training Tower has really transformed how we train our community’s first responders,” said Will Gall, Director of the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management. “With the wide variety of scenarios it’s capable of reproducing, our response teams are more prepared than ever before.”
In just seven months, trainees have earned around 40 state certifications through the facility. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is also using the site for SWAT Academy training, with several deputies set to graduate this week.
Beyond firefighting, the tower features 22 rope rescue anchors, allowing for advanced training in high-angle and confined space rescues. All local emergency agencies have access to the facility for hands-on learning and certification.
The $650,000 project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. County officials say the tower replaces an aging structure with limited functionality, marking a major step forward in preparing responders to protect lives and property.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].