MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb County leaders joined firefighters in saying goodbye to their old fire training center and hello to a future center.
The county held the final burn at the Charles A. Smallwood Center Wednesday morning and then crews started to demolish it.
The county will spend nearly $3 million in SPLOST money to build the new training center.
Macon-Bibb Fire Chief Shane Edwards says the new training area will help them continue as a Class 1 department.
"This step that we're taking today, upgrading our training complex to be able to get our firefighters out here in a confined area where they can come in and train, will improve our Class 1 or help us maintain our Class 1 rating because we're able to have your firefighters here 24/7," said Edwards.
The Class 1 insurance rating is the highest one given to departments. The new training center should be ready by the end of 2022.