New training center to simulate real-world scenarios for Ashland firefighters

ASHLAND — The Ashland Firefighters Association is raising funds for a new training center, scheduled to be up and running by summer 2027.

Paul Rossi, firefighter and president of the association, said they've purchased three shipping containers, which will make up the majority of the training grounds. Two will be placed next to each other, and another will go on top. He said the New Hampshire Department of Transportation donated the decommissioned Smith’s Crossing Bridge, which connected Winona and Jackson Pond roads, to be used for firefighter training.

“We got the containers last year, and just a couple months ago, we got the bridge that DOT took apart and brought over to us,” Rossi said.

A rescue tower is also being created for high-angle rescues and aerial training. Rossi said the shipping containers will have a roof prop to work on practicing vent holes, as well as other roof operations and ladder company training. The shipping boxes will be transformed into mock living areas, with stairways and rooms for the firefighters to navigate.

“Within the units themselves, we will do live fire drills,” Rossi said. “We can put pallets on fire, and work with real smoke, real fire.”

The Ashland Firefighters Association is a nonprofit entity separate from the fire department, entirely supported by donations and fundraising. Rossi said it was tough to put a final price tag on the project, but it would be in the thousands. He said the association voted on implementation of the training area years ago, and about two years ago, the idea really started to take shape.

The association meets once a month. Years back, a member brought it up as an idea. They looked into it, and realized it would be fairly simple to do. The idea evolved over time, and they reached out to organizations selling storage containers to piece together the numbers. Rossi gave kudos to firefighter Walter Durack for his involvement, saying his work as an engineer and a fire department member has been “a huge help.”

“He’s the brains of the operation, and helped get it going.”

The association released an artist's rendering depicting the finished product on Facebook, on Aug. 26, and it received more than 100 “likes” and several comments. The association wrote it gives firefighters the opportunity for “hands on, realistic training year round.” It's in town, so they won’t have to travel to other centers, or compete with other departments for scheduling.

“It’s great to have it in town, because the duty crew can go down and do quick simulations and still be in town for emergencies,” Rossi said. “This will keep our skills toned."

Other departments have training centers in the area, as well. Laconia Fire recently created their own near their water department on Stark Road, also using shipping containers.

Rossi also said there is a similar training center at the NH Fire Academy, which most firefighters have gone through, and used. That center has a roof simulator and rescue tower, much like the plans in Ashland. Rossi said this will be a scaled back version of that.

“This will be smaller, but based on that idea.”

The center will be located on Collins Street, behind the water purification area near the transfer station. The police department has a shooting range there, and the Ashland Electric Department has polls set up for training, as well.

While the materials are ready to go at the site, the next step is pouring concrete on the pad in November. Rossi said Holderness Fire Department reached out to assist in the pouring, and they will be welcome to use the training center, as well.

The Ashland and Holderness fire departments often work hand in hand, as they are neighboring communities. Rossi said having the ability to train together will only be beneficial to both departments, and the community as a whole.

“They will be doing a lot of combined training,” Rossi said.

Once the concrete is poured, they will need to place the containers properly, build the stairways and create the mock rooms.

“We would love to have it all set up this year, but with winter coming, it is likely going to be set after mud season,” Rossi said. “Hopefully, we’ll be doing drills in the late spring, early summer.”

Rossi said to keep an eye on the association’s social media, saying they have fundraisers in the works. Past fundraisers have included raffling off a paddleboard, as well as heating oil and firewood during the winter. The association also sells T-shirts, available at the Ashland Fire Department.

Those who would like to donate can drop off cash or a check at the Ashland Fire station, 9 Main St., with checks made out to Ashland Firefighters Association.