The Kannapolis Fire Department held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new training tower Tuesday. The four-story training tower will be located at Fire Station 1, at 300 Fire House Drive. The tower is being built near the site of the department’s former training tower. The previous tower was recently demolished due to its age, safety concerns and to make room for this new larger tower.

It will provide firefighters with a dedicated facility for realistic, hands-on training and emergency response exercises. The new training site will provide firefighters with a modern location to practice critical skills, including fire suppression, search and rescue, ladder operations, firefighter survival, Mayday response, and other emergency operations.

“Firefighters cannot wait until an emergency happens to learn how to handle it,” said Kannapolis Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff. “Training gives our members the chance to practice, improve, and build confidence before someone’s life depends on them. This facility is an investment in our firefighters, but ultimately, it is an investment in the safety of the people we serve.”

The tower will utilize metal shipping containers to create a versatile training environment. Firefighters will be able to practice skills such as vertical operations, stairwell and interior searches, hose deployment, ventilation, rescue operations and other techniques critical to emergency response. Its multiple levels will also give crews the opportunity to practice coordinated operations in an environment that more closely reflects the challenges they may encounter when responding to incidents in multi-story buildings.

The cost of the tower is $1.5 million and is expected to be completed in 2027.

During the ceremony Winecoff thanked Kannapolis Mayor Doug Wilson and the Kannapolis City Council for their commitment to funding core and critical services that protect the city’s residents, businesses, and visitors. “This project would not happen without the support of our City leadership and City Council,” Winecoff said. “They understand that public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government, and they have continued to support the people, equipment, facilities, and resources we need to serve a growing community.” He also thanked Kannapolis City Manager Wilmer Melton and the management team for their leadership and support of the project.

Additionally, the department is developing conceptual plans for a Legacy and Memorial Garden which will be located at Fire Station 1 near the training facility.

The proposed garden would recognize retired and former members, both volunteer and career, who dedicated significant portions of their lives to serving Kannapolis, while also providing a place to remember those who helped build the city’s public safety services over the years. Winecoff said placing the garden near the training facility would connect the department’s past with its future. “The old training tower served generations of Kannapolis firefighters. This new facility will prepare the next generation,” he said. “The Legacy Garden will give us a place to recognize the people who helped build the organization we have today. It is about respecting where we came from, supporting the people serving now, and preparing those who will serve after us.”

Construction of the new training facility marks another major step in the department’s strategic plans to improve training, staffing, equipment, and emergency response capabilities.

The Kannapolis Fire Department is committed to ensuring its firefighters have the training, knowledge and experience needed to respond safely and effectively when emergencies occur. The new training tower reinforces that commitment by giving firefighters a space to continually strengthen their skills, prepare for a wide range of scenarios and enhance the service they provide to the citizens of Kannapolis.