Construction of a training site for emergency responders in Carbon County was given the green light by the Carbon County Commissioners on Thursday.

The commissioners approved contracts totaling $5,256,448 for the construction of the training center, which will be built near the Carbon County prison in Nesquehoning.

Bids approved are:

• General construction fire protection: CMG of Easton Inc., Easton, $4,798,800.

• Electrical: George J. Hayden Inc., dba Hayden Power Group, Hazleton, $333,900.

• Plumbing: JBM Mechanical, Nazareth, $123,000.

• HVAC and Mechanical: CHM Contracting, Leesport, $81,548.

In addition, the commissioners hired United Inspection Services of Jim Thorpe for construction inspection at the training site at a cost not to exceed $24,970.

Wayne E. Nothstein, chairman of the commissioners, said of the latter contract, “It’s always good to award contracts to a local company.”

There had been 14 bids received for the four main contracts involving the project, which has been in the planning stage for several years.

The training facility will include a four-story structure that will simulate a variety of potential emergency scenarios.

There will be three burn training areas, towers for high-angle rescues, automatic sprinkler simulation and special setups for various other training methods.

It not only will be a training center for firefighters but other emergency responders, too.

A tower will also be available for instructors to observe police training, and there will be a camera system to observe and record training tactics.

Nothstein, who has been a volunteer firefighter for well over 50 years, mentioned in the past that the training center will be auspicious for firefighters who have specific training requirements. Local firefighters now have to travel as far away as Harrisburg for training, which not only takes them away from their families but also deters some from becoming involved.

Road improvements and some site work have occurred to prepare for the construction.

It was noted in the past that $1.5 million for the project has been contributed through grants and $250,000 was approved by Gov. Tom Wolf under the Pennsylvania Capital Assistance Program and the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Financial assistance has also been provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the County of Carbon.

Applications for further grant assistance is continuing.

Last year when the project was being planned, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich endorsed the project, “We must strive to ensure that our first responders and selfless volunteers should be the best trained, educated, incentivized and compensated in the state; however, it must be done in a financially responsible manner.”

The project was scaled down considerably from initial estimated costs of $14 million.