Costa Mesa opens five‑story regional fire training tower; Assemblymember secured $2.5 million

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Costa Mesa officials on Dec. 9 cut the ribbon on a five‑story, state‑of‑the‑art Fire & Rescue training tower the city says will serve as a regional training center for firefighters across the county.

"We were able to work together and secure $2,500,000 in state funding to help support this project," Assemblymember Katie Petri Norris said, presenting a resolution honoring the departing chief. Officials said the state contribution helped make the tower possible alongside additional city funding approved by the council.

City Manager Cecilia Gallardo Daley said the old tower was "close to 60 years old" and had become obsolete. She described the new facility as constructed with locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials and built to reduce water and energy use, adding that neighboring cities and agencies will also use the site to improve regional preparedness.

Raja, a public works representative speaking at the event, described technical features: a prefabricated five‑story training tower equipped with advanced training props to simulate high‑rise, residential and industrial scenarios; a sustainable full water recirculation system with a dual pump design to reduce water use; and a bedrock foundation intended to mitigate earthquake risk. City staff named WHP Training Towers and Calibha as primary contractors and PBK Architects as project designers.

Officials said the project took roughly 15 months to complete. Public works staff and building inspectors were acknowledged by name for frequent inspections and schedule oversight, and the city indicated a phase 2 for the project is planned though details were not specified.

Mayor John Stevens emphasized firefighter training and safety ahead of the ceremony’s finale, and the program included an invocation, remarks from city leaders, unveiling of a dedication plaque dated 12/09/2025 and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The ceremony also marked a leadership transition. Officials honored Chief Dan Stefano, noting his 30‑year career and leadership on training and firefighter wellness. Assemblymember Petri Norris said the facility will be "a center of excellence for training across Southern California."