Swiftwater Tank Training Facility
We plan to build a swiftwater training facility that creates a controlled swiftwater environment, allowing first responders to safely train for advanced scenarios. Given the increasing prevalence and intensity of flood events, every first responder is likely to face a swiftwater challenge and these flood rescue calls are one of the most lethal a first responder can answer. Strong swiftwater capabilities are an essential skill for all first responders.
Current flood rescue training is outdoors in uncontrolled rivers, putting first responders at risk of injury or death during training. There is also a risk of lost equipment. River scenarios are only so customizable and have limitations – like the inability to replicate a vehicle in water – meaning rescuers are facing novel situations in real life and may be unprepared. Our training facility would allow the safe replication of stranded and floating vehicles, which is one of the most common real-life rescues conducted.
Our desired facility is a large indoor tank which produces swiftwater conditions. It would allow for the design of advanced flood rescue scenarios including eddies, whirlpools, construction obstacles, 7 knots of undercurrent, rope and diving elements, vehicular rescue, night and storm conditions, as well as many others. These are common scenarios first responders will encounter in a flood rescue that are impossible to safely replicate with the current option of outdoor creek training.
Our project is located in an Economic Opportunity Zone and would be a boon to the area by increasing tourism and travel as teams come to train at the facility. This would also provide great cost savings to first responders throughout the state of West Virginia as it reduces the distance they have to travel to receive such quality hands-on training. When local emergency departments organize outdoor swift water training, it has to be seasonal, and training initiatives can be sidelined by bad weather, water levels, or unsafe conditions. Indoor swift water training saves local departments money and time by providing safe, advanced-level training to departments in the region on a reliable, year-round schedule. Having such a facility within short travel distance of so many first responders would improve access to training, meaning more training opportunities. It would mean that our first responders would become skilled swiftwater rescuers, reducing fatalities and incidents and promoting safety throughout the region. As our facility grows in demand, we hope to create several jobs in the area including administrative positions and a cadre of skilled instructors conducting trainings.
Economic Impact
WILD Economic Analysis Executive Summary
Economic Analysis Strategy : Data results were calculated using ranges of possible outcomes that would have a financial impact over a 10-year period beginning with the first year of construction. Historical data was taken from department reports, peer-reviewed studies and research, and federal databases. Data points like population were based on U.S. county averages. Economic multipliers were calculated using the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s Regional Input-Output Modeling System (BEA RIMS II) and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and then totals were rounded down to create a conservative estimate. A Monte-Carlo analysis of calculated totals was run 10,000 times to determine the pessimistic, optimistic, and average/mean possibilities of total financial impact for the first year, a 10-year period, and annually after construction.
Establishing a new regional training facility—where first responders travel from surrounding towns—can significantly boost a town’s regional economy.
Key Impact Areas:
Direct Economic Impacts
- Visitor Spending: First responders and instructors traveling from other towns will spend on lodging, food, fuel, and retail during training sessions. For example, in Piqua, Ohio, a regional training facility was projected to attract up to 500 firefighters for certain courses, with even a few such events annually creating a measurable economic impact for local businesses.
- Facility Operations: The training center itself will employ staff, purchase supplies, and contract local services, directly injecting money into the local economy.
Indirect and Induced Impacts
- Supply Chain Effects: Local suppliers and service providers benefit from increased demand as the facility and its visitors purchase goods and services, creating a multiplier effect throughout the region.
- Induced Spending: Employees of the training center and local businesses, as well as visiting first responders, will spend their earnings locally, further supporting jobs and economic growth.
Budget
Total Cost: $3,650,000
SITE CLEARING & PREPARATION $ 100,000
GEOTECHNICAL REPORT, SURVEY, MATERIALS TEST REPORT $ 10,000
WATER SIMULATION TANK [40x80x6] $ 2,500,000
- Fabrication & Shipping
- Assembly & Installation
- Coating & Testing
FLOOD RESCUE PACKAGE Included
- NRS Rescue raft, electric outboard motor, paddles
- Rescue dummies (x2)
- Rescue PFDs, helmets, throw-bags (x20)
- Cascade stretcher w/ floatation package
VEHICLE LIFTING PACKAGE Included
- 3T hoist w/ radio control
- 100’ overhead monorail
- Lifting straps and shackles
WATER STORAGE & DIVE $ 225,000
- Concrete Foundation
- Fabrication / Shipping / Freight
- Assembly & Installation
- Coating & Testing
STEEL BUILDING [80x150x24] $ 650,000
- 6” reinforced concrete foundation
- 16×16 cargo doors (x3), overhead heaters
- Insulated & paneled walls, vents, lights
- Offices, classrooms, and additional training space
DESIGN PLANS $ 15,000
INTERIOR BUILDOUT & SUPPLIES $ 150,000
Our intention is to look at American suppliers and companies to build this project.
Photos of the Swiftwater training facility at Fayetteville Technical Community College
Timeline
We are currently applying for funding from a variety of sources. In previous years, we have made the first hurdle and were selected to the Congressional Spending lists of both Senator Manchin and then Justice as well as Senator Capito. Unfortunately we did not make it onto the final appropriations bill. We are determined to try again and advocate for this necessary training tool.
We are working with a variety of partners who recognize the need and importance of such a training tool in our state.
Partners
West Virginia University Fire Service Extension
- “When seconds count… training matters”
West Virginia Public Service Training (WVPST)
- West Virginia Public Service Training (WVPST) provides training for emergency services personnel throughout the state. PST is the umbrella term for a group of programs related to maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of the general public including but not limited to- Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, and Law Enforcement. They are very excited about the project and have a variety of instructors and personnel eager to use the tool.
West Virginia State Police
- “With the rise in flooding in the state of WV this type of training could possibly help save lives while protecting the lives of first responders.“
ACE Adventure Resort
- As a major part of the whitewater industry, ACE understands the importance of swiftwater training. They emphasize swiftwater rescue training among their guides. They are excited about the possibility of the swiftwater training facility and have agreed to provide land and contribute to operation and maintenance of the facility.
New River Gorge Regional Development Authority
“West Virginia is home to some of the best whitewater rivers in the country, but river-based tourism remains vulnerable to seasonal changes and unpredictable weather. This facility will help mitigate those challenges by extending the training and tourism season, attracting new visitors, and anchoring a high-quality workforce development hub for the outdoor industry.” from their Letter of Support
New River Great Lodge
- A private partner plans to compliment our facility by building a large lodging and conference center nearby and partnering with us and allowing us access to their facilities in order to expand our course offerings.
Fayette County Commission
- “With increased tourism to the New River Gorge National Park and an emphasis on outdoor adventure, swiftwater training can only enhance the safety of these opportunities for residents, operators, first responders, and tourists, alike.” – from their Letter of Support
Fayette County Emergency Management
- “With an added emphasis on the New River Gorge National Park as an outdoor adventure destination, the ability to develop and deploy well trained first responders should be a priority. The safety and security of all visitors to the New River Gorge depends on it. The swiftwater tank makes this possible and provides a year-round training facility for our responders.” – from their Letter of Support
Ohio Fire Academy
- “The value of these training sites cannot be overstated due to the rise in these types of events and the lack of trained rescuers to respond to them.” – from their Letter of Support
Water Education & Training (WET) Center in Tennessee
- “We recognize that no single facility can meet the full scope of training needs facing our region. The development of WILD’s swiftwater training facility represents a critical and complementary investment in this shared mission. Together, the WILD and WET Centers will form a synergistic network of hands-on training venues—one focused on swiftwater response and the other on comprehensive water management and infrastructure systems. This alignment strengthens the entire region’s preparedness, encourages cross-jurisdictional coordination, and maximizes the value of public investment in workforce development.” – from their Letter of Support
Federal Nexus Reference
Economic Development Initiative
42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2)
The Swiftwater Training Facility will serve as a sponsored public works training facility to train emergency first responders for the region and the State of West Virginia. Trainees will include fire and law enforcement personnel, military, and other rescue personnel.