b'EMERGENCY RESPONSELEX59After LEX determined its requirements for the simulators, manufacturing took about 12 months, followed by four months for installation and commissioning. Alpine Metal Tech North America manufactured and oversaw construction and installation of the AMT Simulation B737/A320 Live Fire Training Simulator, which is designed to enhance the realism and depth of training and provide students more comprehensive experience handling emergency situations with Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. Older simulators are not as sophisticated and lack the training possibilities that this model provides, explains Mitch Joseph, technical director for Alpine Metal Tech. Essentially, they were a shell of anMITCH JOSEPHaircraft inside a big burn pit that simulated fuel spills, he explains. In contrast, the companys current unit is a multipurpose simulator that not only simulates fuel spills, but can also create more than two dozen different Whiting-Turner Contracting Companytechnologies that werent available whenfire scenarios for training ARFF crews.selected to lead the design/build project.the facility was originally constructed. Obviously, over the past 20 years, It did take a couple of funding cycles forNow, the center is better equipped tosimulator technology has changed and it us to be able to fit into the overall Airportprovide a practical approach to learninghas become much safer, Joseph says. Improvement Program, Miller notes. Butwith the latest technology, resources andThat is our utmost concernthat we the facility received federal funding, whichknowledgeable instructors, says Miller.provide a training facility that is, first of he sees as a nod to the importance andIts really bringing the classroom fromall, as safe as possible, but also provides industry impact of the project. 1995 to 2025, he remarks. Its what yourealistic training scenarios. The 4,200-square-foot expansionwould see in a typical college classroomMiller calls the B737/A320 simulator doubled the size of the previous facility.and what students have come to expecthis pride and joy, adding that LEX can A new classroom can accommodatein a classroom today. Miller says thenow provide training for crews from Index double the number of traineesup tonew environment is less of a firehouseE airports, which handle large aircraft 30and features advanced technologyatmosphere and more conducive to focusand require greater ARFF resources. in an updated, more comfortable space.and learning.The new simulator at LEX is 98.4 feet Existing classrooms and training areasCourses are led by dedicated staff,long with a wingspan of 63.6 feet. The were also upgraded and modernized. including Fire Chief Brian Wainscott andcockpit area includes a flight control Key features include dedicated areasARFF Training Instructor Scott May, whoconsole and pilot and co-pilot seats. for equipment and fire gear storage, anboth joined the faculty in 2020. There are also passenger compartments apparatus bay (that will soon house aand interchangeable wings to replicate Rosenbauer training fire truck), an areaAdvanced Simulatorsa Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Perhaps for training with personal protectiveTo further enhance and expand itsmost notably, the simulator provides 28 equipment, and a gear cleaning/ capabilities, the center added two newdifferent live fire training scenarios inside washroom.training simulatorsone of a Blackhawkand outside the aircraft model, and also helicopter and another that can portrayincludes advanced environmental and The size, layout and amenities allow forflame monitoring systems and evacuation the introduction of best practices and newtwo different popular narrow-body airliners.systems. AirportImprovement.comMarch | April 2026'