Prince George supervisors back quick-build training site, direct staff to pursue leases and buy shipping‑container units

Chief Casares urged the Board of Supervisors to approve a modest, phased approach to a central fire and EMS training facility, saying training "is the key, the foundation, of any well functioning team." He proposed a Phase 1 build consisting of three shipping‑container modules on a 32‑by‑48‑foot concrete pad to create a realistic, low‑cost training environment.

The chief presented three candidate locations: the Crater Criminal Justice Training Center (a privately owned but centrally located site that would require a memorandum of understanding), the county‑owned Well Station Road parcel (which may need more site work and hydrant upgrades), and a recently decommissioned school site that could reduce site‑work costs. He gave a rough total estimate for a fuller site of about $259,000 but said the immediate Phase 1 shipping‑container/pad element totals roughly $50,000 and could be covered from current fire‑program funds. "The total is $260,000," Casares said as a general planning figure, and he added that "we have funds available in the fire programs fund" to cover the containers.

Board members asked about temporary versus permanent placement, infrastructure costs, potential scheduling conflicts at the Crater site, and the risk that a temporary installation could require rework later. Several supervisors said a Walton school site could serve as a short‑term staging area if demolition plans allow retention of usable pads. The board also discussed fundraising, volunteer support for site prep, and whether leasing arrangements with Crater or partnering jurisdictions might be preferable to immediate capital investment.

After discussion, the board gave consensus direction: staff should pursue lease terms and availability at the Crater Criminal Justice Training Center, have economic‑development staff report on Walton property opportunity costs, and evaluate the Well Station Road and school sites. Members also supported expending funds in the current budget to purchase con‑ex (shipping) boxes and related equipment for training use now, with the intent those units would be deployed to a preferred temporary or permanent site later.

The board asked staff to return with cost and lease options, a clear scope for Phase 1, and a timetable for possible short‑term operations.

The board did not adopt any final site or contract at this meeting; it directed staff to return with details for further board action.