Construction on the brand-new Macon-Bibb County Fire Training Center is nearing completion! The Fire Department is holding a Topping Out Ceremony on Monday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Charles A. Smallwood Training Complex (5520 Tinker Drive). The event will be live-streamed on the Fire Department’s Facebook page www.Facebook .com/MaconBibbCountyFireDepartment.

The construction company hired for this project, Warren Associates, will place the final beam on the training center before wrapping up construction. Before it is placed, county leaders, firefighters, and other community partners will sign the beam. This Topping Out is different than others because the beam is usually hidden inside the roof; this beam will remain visible to all who enter.

“Warren Associates is honored to be a part of the Topping Out Ceremony for the Macon-Bibb Fire Department’s new Fire Training Tower,” says President and CEO Warren Selby. “This event celebrates the accomplishment of our construction crew and the placement of the highest steel member.”

Construction on the $3.2 million dollar facility began in May 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. $2.8 million of the cost is coming from voter-approved Special Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) and the remainder was set aside from the County’s general fund. This new facility was carefully chosen and designed after Chief, County Manager, and firefighters traveled to different centers across the country to make sure Macon-Bibb County firefighters were getting exactly what they needed.