KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Kannapolis Fire Department broke ground Tuesday on a new $1.5 million training tower designed to give firefighters a dedicated facility for hands-on emergency response training.
The four-story tower will be built at Fire Station 1, 300 Fire House Drive, near the site of the department’s former training tower. The previous tower was recently demolished because of its age and safety concerns and to make room for the larger facility.
The new tower will use metal shipping containers to create a flexible training environment. Firefighters will use the facility to practice fire suppression, search and rescue, ladder operations, firefighter survival, Mayday response, hose deployment, ventilation and other emergency operations.
The tower’s multiple levels will allow crews to practice stairwell and interior searches, vertical operations and coordinated responses similar to situations firefighters face in multi-story buildings.
“Firefighters cannot wait until an emergency happens to learn how to handle it,” Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff said. “Training gives our members the chance to practice, improve, and build confidence before someone’s life depends on them.”
Winecoff said the facility represents an investment in both firefighters and the safety of the community.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Winecoff thanked Mayor Doug Wilson, the Kannapolis City Council, City Manager Wilmer Melton and the city’s management team for supporting the project and the department’s public safety needs.
The training tower is expected to be completed in 2027.
The department is also developing conceptual plans for a Legacy and Memorial Garden near the training facility at Fire Station 1.
The proposed garden would recognize retired and former volunteer and career firefighters who served Kannapolis. It would also provide a memorial space honoring those who helped develop the city’s public safety services.
“The old training tower served generations of Kannapolis firefighters. This new facility will prepare the next generation,” Winecoff said. “The Legacy Garden will give us a place to recognize the people who helped build the organization we have today.”
The project is part of the fire department’s broader plans to improve training, staffing, equipment and emergency response capabilities as Kannapolis continues to grow.
