PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The Pinellas Park Fire Department built a new training tower behind Fire Station 35 to give firefighters easier access to hands-on training. The facility, officials said, will help with recruitment and retention as Florida faces a firefighter shortage.
The four-story tower opened earlier this year and is designed to help crews train for emergencies in buildings such as condos and apartments. Officials said it includes eight burn rooms and allows firefighters to practice scenarios they may face inside homes and other structures.
Lt. Bradley Rogers, who has been with the Pinellas Park Fire Department for about seven years, said crews are using the tower to practice pulling hose lines through spaces that simulate real obstacles…