SJFD awarded grant for new fire training facility
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph Fire Department received a Military Community Reinvestment Grant aimed at assisting communities that provide support to military programs and bases.
The $117,000 grant was awarded by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
The grant funds, along with matching funding from the city, will be used to build a live fire training facility near Rosecrans Memorial Airport. The starter facility is expected to be complete by May 2026, according to a City of St. Joseph press release.
Firefighters with SJFD currently have to use other facilities for this type of training, which makes it difficult for all of them to earn the desired three hours of live fire training a year.
“The St. Joseph Fire Department, City of St Joseph as well as the 139th are very excited about this opportunity to build a live burn training facility here in St Joseph,” St. Joseph Fire Chief Ivan Klippenstein said. “This is a tool our fire departments have always been in need to have an accessible facility. We are not only excited about the opportunity to train, but to create relationships with old and new partners in the emergency services.”
SJFD is advocating for the future facility to be made the regional training facility that can be used by other area entities such as the 139th Airlift Wing and Missouri Western State University, according to a press release.
