BETHLEHEM, N.H. (WCAX) – An expanding fire academy in Bethlehem will give more new recruits the certifications they need, and future commercial vehicle drivers will also benefit.
The fire tower in Bethlehem has been there for about a decade. But the facility as a whole just got a big upgrade.
When you celebrate the grand opening of a new firehouse, you use a hose rather than a ribbon. The three-bay facility is part of a $6 million upgrade to the Fire and EMS Training Facility in Bethlehem.
“When you call for an emergency, if it is you or somebody else, you expect us to be there, right? And sometimes that could mean the difference between getting a truck out the door or not,” Gorham Fire Chief Philip Cloutier said.
It is named for the late Ray Burton, a beloved former executive councilman representing northern New Hampshire. American Rescue Plan Act funds helped make it a reality.
“As of right now, any firefighters in the North Country have to drive two hours plus down to Concord to our training facility there,” said Steven Lavoie of the New Hampshire Public Safety Department.
It’s training that eventually could mean the difference between life and death. Additional classroom space is also part of the upgrades, along with a four-season pavilion.
The Department of Motor Vehicles also has a space, a massive lot for commercial driver’s license testing.
“We have other CDL training ranges in the state, but this is the one farthest north and to have it tied in with the fire academy is unique for us,” Lavoie said.
Drivers, like firefighters, are in high demand.
“It is hard to find people that are available, A. to do it and interested. And then getting them the training, that is quite a feat in itself,” Cloutier said.
Officials say there is currently a waiting list for training opportunities for new cadets, but they say the Bethlehem facility will make an impact.
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