For half a century area firefighters practiced at the drill field in the west end of Lehighton, a small plot next to the Baer Memorial athletic fields.

There, firefighters used a 35-foot, concrete and steel training tower to learn about ladder rescues, rappelling, fighting fires from ladders and searching a smoky structure.That tower, built 50 years ago, has been used for the last time.An inspection determined it is in danger of collapsing, and it has been condemned.John McArdle, president of the Carbon County Fireman's Association, has changed the locks on the doors so nobody can enter the structure. He said plans are underway to demolish it.McArdle said unfortunately, a replacement structure is not affordable at the present time.New site neededIf a new training center is constructed, McArdle said it won't be built on the same site as the present building.McArdle said firefighter training is more complex than when the tower was built. A new training site would require a tower, water and sewage facilities, classroom space, a water recovery system and roads.Wayne Nothstein, a firefighter in Lehighton for over 40 years and who, like McArdle, is a certified state fire instructor, said it's likely the new training site will be erected piecemeal. With engineering and site preparation costs, the project could cost over $1 million, funds the organization doesn't have.Nothstein, who is also chairman of the Carbon County Board of Commissioners, said a few locations are being considered for a new training center, including one near the Carbon County Correctional Facility in Nesquehoning.Ron Tirpak II, an engineer for Carbon Engineering of Summit Hill, said in his inspection report, "The condition of the structure is serious. The structural integrity of the floor and roof joists has been compromised and is beyond repair. The concrete block masonry units are in serious condition and unstable."The engineering firm became involved after firefighters training at the site noticed a significant amount of rust at the bottom of the metal staircase of the three-story building.Danger of collapseMcArdle said the firefighting association was advised that the building is in such bad shape, that there was a danger it could collapse if eight or nine firefighters are on the second or third story floor.The report said all the floor joists holding up the second floor room are in serious condition. Four of the floor joists holding up the third floor have corroded "to the point where structural integrity has been compromised.""The eastern and western exterior masonry walls have separated from the interior shear wall by inch to inch" on the third floor, says the engineering study.There are large cracks in the masonry. Most of the roof joists are in poor condition. "The southern parapet wall is also leaning out," Tirpak reports.McArdle is relieved that the engineering inspection was done, noting that the tower was used a lot in the past year for various training courses."We're lucky nobody got hurt," Nothstein said."St. Florian was looking out for us," McArdle said, noting St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters.State of the artHe said when a new facility is built, "Our goal is to try to make something state of the art."He said it could be a site used by all emergency personnel, including police officers. It might even have a shooting range.The present training site is on property owned by Lehighton borough.An industry next to the site has installed solar panels, so even working with hoses has limitations so those panels aren't impacted.Meanwhile, both firefighting officials admit that continued training of volunteer firefighters could have some difficulties.Recently some firefighters made several trips to Norristown to get required firefighter training."Training today is more intensive," McArdle said. "Fire school used to be over a single weekend and take 16 hours. Now you need 140 hours of training for fundamentals."Mike Radocha of Peter J. Radocha and Sons of Coaldale offered to do the demolition for free if he can have the steel. The Fireman's Association will be responsible for removing the blocks.Standing in front of the building, Nothstein said, "This is like losing a friend. It really served us well."