By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A Cass County Community Foundation grant of $30,000 is helping fund construction of the county’s first live fire training tower in Logansport, Indiana.
• The four-story structure is being built at Cass County Emergency Management Agency grounds to serve all 11 county fire departments.
• The tower will allow in-county live fire, ladder, hose, search and rescue and other training previously requiring travel out of county.
• Officials said the new facility could improve Insurance Services Organization ratings, potentially lowering local insurance rates.
CASS COUNTY, IN — A $30,000 grant from the Cass County Community Foundation is funding construction of the county’s first live fire training tower at the Cass County Emergency Management Agency grounds in Logansport.
Cass County Emergency Management Agency/Facebook
Officials said the four-story structure will provide local fire departments with the ability to conduct live fire training, ladder work, hose advancement, search and rescue drills and other essential skills training without leaving the county.
Cass County has 11 fire departments but previously lacked an in-county facility that met Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements for live fire exercises; the EMA site was selected because it meets permitting and safety criteria.
The project has involved support from local agencies and volunteers, with contributions including ground preparation, crane services and material donations, and construction is expected to be completed by summer.
Officials said availability of the training tower may increase points toward fire department Insurance Services Organization ratings, which can translate to lower insurance rates for homes and businesses in the county.