Fighting fire with fire: CCCC set to build training tower to help save lives

Central Carolina Community College is building a fire rescue training tower on its Harnett Main Campus.

Area firefighters, fire academy cadets, and other emergency services personnel will train on the fire-resistant three-story steel structure to build the skills, speed, and experience they need to save lives and property. 

CCCC held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 26 for its Harnett Fire Training Tower, which is being funded with state dollars. The event was attended by emergency services personnel, local government and economic development leaders, and two state lawmakers: Sen. Jim Burgin and Rep. Joseph Pike.  

As populations grow and economic development rises in CCCC’s three-county service area of Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties, demand is high for highly qualified emergency responders. 

“First responders are always incredibly important,” said CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman. “When you have the kind of growth that we have, they become more and more important.” 

Sen. Burgin echoed Dr. Chapman’s sentiment. 

“To all of our folks that are in emergency services, your presence makes an impact,” he said. “When you show up, things change.” 

Harnett County’s fire chiefs advocated for the funding from the state legislature for the tower, seeking ways to enhance their talent pipeline and to train their crews closer to home, at reduced cost. 

Training closer to home has the potential to cut response times if crews are needed for a real-life emergency in their community during their training time.

Also, in addition to increased safety, better training for local firefighters can improve fire protection ratings, potentially lowering residents’ insurance costs and reducing liability. 

“When I meet with the chiefs, I’ll always ask them, ‘what is something that you need?’” said Sen. Burgin, recounting how they told him that their crews were having to leave the county to complete training. 

He said he felt that should not continue. Together, in cooperation with college leaders, they secured funding, he said. 

Construction of the tower is set to begin later this year, with completion expected in 2027. The tower will be located in a cleared section of the wooded area behind the current educational facilities on CCCC’s Harnett Main Campus in Lillington. 

The new fire tower will have four training levels, including the roof. It will include multiple burn rooms, which are thermal-lined spaces where trainers can set fires using materials such as wood pallets or straw. 

Trainees will get live-fire experience under realistic conditions without the dangers of an uncontrolled emergency scene. 

They will face common hazards and obstacles like smoke, heat exposure, and limited visibility, and tackle challenges like stairwell operations and vertical rescue simulations.

“Everyone knows you are only as good as your last training exercise or event,” said Brian Heath, Chief of the Summerville Bunnlevel Fire Department and President of the Harnett County Fire Chiefs Association.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, he called the occasion a “monumental day for emergency services in Harnett County,” and stressed he expects to see high levels of use for the training tower in the years to come, both from Harnett County crews and from crews from other nearby counties. 

“With this facility being here in our backyard, it will make a huge difference,” he said. 

For more information about CCCC’s Public Safety educational offerings visit www.cccc.edu/estc.

May 28, 2026

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