Bates Technical College has announced it will host a ceremony for the Fire Service Training Center on Wednesday, 28 May, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the South Campus Auditorium, 2201 South 78th Street in Tacoma, Washington.
This event marks the beginning of a project that is intended to elevate fire service education and training at the college. The state-of-the-art center will provide students with immersive, hands-on learning opportunities using industry-standard equipment.
Approved during the 2023 legislative session, the $42 million project will convert the former commercial truck driving lot at South Campus into a premier fire training facility. Fire service training has deep roots at the college, dating back to the program’s start at the Downtown Campus in the 1960s.
As the program expanded, it moved to South Campus, where it has grown into one of Bates Tech’s most robust and in-demand offerings.
The facility, designed through a progressive design-build partnership among Miller Hull, BNBuilders and MW Studios, will feature flexible drill yards, a live-fire training structure, simulated apparatus and fire station areas and traditional classrooms.
Unique among technical colleges in the region, the live-fire structure will provide advanced, real-world training scenarios including search and rescue mazes, entanglement drills and firefighter challenges, to prepare students for both residential and commercial emergencies.
Bates Technical College President Dr. Lin Zhou said: “This building is an investment in the future of our students and the safety of our communities.
“We are proud to provide our students with a learning environment that reflects the realities of the field and meets the rigorous standards of today’s fire service. This project represents our commitment to workforce education and to serving as a trusted training partner for our region’s first responders.”
Replacing facilities that date back to the 1980s, the center will also include modern classrooms, program offices, a physical fitness room, a computer lab, and a mock fire station with vehicle bays.
A dedicated EMT training classroom, simulation lab and ambulance simulator will support the rising demand for emergency medical training and continuing education.
In line with the college’s Sustainability Action Plan, the facility is on track to become Bates Tech’s first all-electric building and a model for future development.
Supported by a competitive Washington State Department of Commerce Decarbonization Grant, the project aims for LEED Gold certification. These enhancements reflect the college’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term community impact.
Adam Cabeza, Fire Service Program Instructor added: “The entire team of fire service instructors is thrilled to see this project come to life.
“This new facility will provide a more realistic and robust training experience for our students and create opportunities to expand access to the program and strengthen partnerships with local fire departments. We can’t wait to get started.”
Students, employees, alumni and community members are invited to attend the event and help celebrate this new chapter in the College’s history.
Bates Technical College has announced a ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to mark the beginning of a new Fire Service Training Center at the College’s South Campus Auditorium.
