Subject: Jason Dickey Memorial Training Center (Continued)

In the weeks after Firefighter Jason Dickey’s tragic Line of Duty Death Firefighters from Lawrenceburg Fire Department, Lawrence County Fire Rescue, Loretto Fire Department, and Saint Joseph Fire Department set their mind to building a fire training facility to be used to train new firefighters and to provide opportunity for current firefighters to sharpen their skills. Not only did we want to do something to honor Jason, but there was a need for a Training Center. Our County had went a number of years without a fire training center after the previous training center was torn down to make access for a new industrial park. Firefighters had discussed many ideas about constructing a new training center, but the idea never materialized as for years obtaining the funding was easier said than done. Jason Dickey and other firefighters would often talk about ideas for a new facility if the funding ever became available.

With the Mission of honoring Jason Dickey and constructing a new training facility heavy on the minds of firefighters from across the County a plan was put into place, and the process of raising funds for the project began. The first funding came in the form of $1,000 from each of the 15 volunteer fire stations in the County, a $5,000 buy in from the Lawrenceburg Fire Department, a $5,000 donation from the North Alabama Trail Riders Association, and the donation of an outdoor pavilion package from Summertown Metals. The original funds were enough to get started with the work being conducted free of charge by our local firefighters.

In 2019 a formal Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Jason Dickey Memorial Training Center was held at the site. On the day of the Ceremony several donations were received from supporters of the project. Construction of the facility began at the end of the ceremony.

The construction process continued on with the work being carried out by firefighters, the City of Lawrenceburg, local businesses, and citizens that were willing to volunteer their time and services. Progress on the facility gained momentum after a State appropriation for the project was obtained by State Representative Clay Doggett, and another large donation from the North Alabama Trail Rider’s Association. With the fore mentioned appropriation we were able to complete the indoor classroom and proceed with the purchase of the actual burn building that had been designed to fit the needs of the project. A loan for the burn building was secured, a down payment was made, and the order for the building was processed. Almost one year later the building arrived piece by piece and was assembled by iron workers utilizing a large crane.

A short time later the first live fire training was constructed at the new facility. Although the facility was operational there was still a lot of work to be done. Firefighters continued to work hard to finish this phase of the facility. while also raising funds to pay off the burn building. Fortunately the funding to pay off the facility came the next year in the way of an appropriation from the Lawrence County Commission.

Since its construction the Jason Dickey Memorial Training Center has been utilized to train hundreds of students from Lawrence and surrounding Counties. Trainings have been conducted at the facility for Fire,Rescue, EMS, and Law Enforcement. We continue to add training aids to the facility as we can afford to do so. We have even already outgrown the indoor classroom, and the restroom capabilities of the facility. It is heartwarming to us to see this facility utilized so much!

We are thankful for everyone who has supported the Jason Dickey Memorial Training Center. Every single donation of time and funding has been appreciated. To this day it is still somewhat unbelievable to us that we were able to see this project through in such a short amount of time. We look forward to continuing the mission of the Jason Dickey Memorial Training Center!

City of Lawrenceburg Fire Department