Firefighter training facility is coming along nicely

Decorah Volunteer Fire Department members met with Winneshiek County Supervisors Monday to update the supervisors on the status of the new firefighter training facility on county-owned property off Old Stage Road.

Several of the firefighters thanked the county board for its help with the project, with Decorah Fire Chief Mike Ashbacher telling supervisors the county-owned land "is the perfect spot" for the facility.

Decorah Fire Department member Marcus Hageman told supervisors a 24 foot grain bin is being ordered this week, to provide training on how to fight a grain bin fire.  A 50-foot tower formerly used at the Charles City Airport has now been donated and taken to the training site.

The new training facility has the resources for training on kitchen fires, sofa fires, gas line ruptures and a number of the other situations firefighters face.  Some training has already been done at the location.

County Board Chair John Logsdon told the firefighters it is "pretty impressive" what they have accomplished already.  Supervisor Floyd Ashbacher also complimented the firefighters, saying "a lot of thought" has been put into the design of the training facility.

Chief Ashbacher says the Decorah Volunteer Fire Department is planning to hold an open house at the training faiclity some time this spring.