Officials Green Light Plans for Cranberry Public Safety Training Facility

After 10 years in the making, Cranberry is moving forward with plans for its firefighters, and EMS workers.

“We’re thrilled,” said Bruce Hezlep, president of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company. “It will be very well used.”

Designs for the 5,537-square-foot building were unveiled at Thursday’s . A rendering of the brick structure — which will be located near the township’s public works building off Route 19 — displays two garage bays for fire engines and a training room that can seat 125. The room also can be divided into two classrooms that seat 40 people each. 

In addition to security cameras and an emergency generator, the building also will feature smart boards and projection screens for the classrooms. For the technology-loving Hezlep, this is a huge plus for training.

“I love it,” he said of the design. 

Hezlep said the building would give firefighters an opportunity to hold learning sessions close to home as well as to host classes for other first responders in Butler County.

The training facility, which would be located near the department’s four-story rescue practice tower, also will help the department attract and retain members, Hezlep said.

He added that one of the company’s newest recruits moved to Cranberry specifically because of training opportunities offered by the township’s fire department.

“The guys really want to get out there and train,” he said. “It’s a recruiting tool.”

The company also is outgrowing its two current facilities, he said. Firefighters have one station . is on Route 19 near Cranberry Community Park.  

“This building is going to be a great asset for us,” Hezlep said.

The estimated cost of the building is $900,000. It will be paid for with help from . Half of that amount will go toward sewer and water line upgrades. The remaining $5 million will be used for the new public safety training facility and for the construction of a new building located near the Park Fire Station for .

The money also will be used to renovate an empty space inside the that once housed Cranberry’s . The space now is used for storage.

The township also is increasing its contribution to the fire company. The department will receive 0.25 of the Proceeds from the increase will be used toward the department’s .

After Thursday' authorization by township supervisors, the project will go out to bid this week. Hezlep said he hoped to break ground on the project in May. If all goes according to plan, public safety crews could be holding classes in the new building by fall, he said.

For a full view of the design plans, click on the PDF toward the right side of this page (below the photo).