Gov Business Review: Specials Magazine

The stunning yet harsh environment of the Alaskan Arctic often presents unique challenges for construction and infrastructure. However, a remarkable structure has stood the test of time in the small town of Kotzebue: the very first fire training tower constructed by WHP Trainingtowers™ in 1980. Today, almost 45 years later, the tower stands tall as a true testament to WHP’s promise of longevity and reliability. What an opportunity to speak with the leadership team at WHP Trainingtowers™ to learn about their business and how they have taken the industry by storm, setting the standard for product leadership, customer service, and innovation. This talented group of business leaders, firefighters, and engineers has grown from strength to strength over the last few years and is now looking to continue its rapid expansion to new customers throughout North America and beyond. “We believe that the training towers we build should last a lifetime—and they do. Add to all this quality and innovation a turnkey solution that helps you meet your department or district’s needs from budget to design to service after the sale, and you’ll see why we are the top choice for fire departments across the globe,” says Maggie Scaletty, President and CEO of WHP Trainingtowers™. The company’s fire training tower in Kotzebue is just one example of its training solutions expertise. Over the last four decades, WHP has garnered a longstanding reputation in the industry with a track record of over 1,000 successful projects completed. Today, WHP provides both fixed and modular training solutions that can be easily expanded to create diverse training scenarios for a more realistic experience. It is one of the few companies that handle the manufacturing and assembly of fixed fire training towers as a comprehensive general contractor. Holding contractor licenses in all required states across the US enables it to maintain full oversight and ensure top-notch quality throughout the entire process— from conception and manufacturing to installation and project completion. Enhancing Firefighter Training with Durability and Customization WHP stands at the forefront of the fire training industry, offering state-of-the-art fixed towers that are durable and fully customizable, up to seven stories. With a range of custom colors and façades, including stone, brick, and concrete, these towers are engineered to meet specific requirements, including seismic and wind load standards in all 50 states. The towers are renowned for their robust construction, built using a proven building system introduced in 1949, which WHP has continuously refined. The corrugated cladding, made of structural panels with 4.5” deep corrugations embedded with smaller corrugations, is a hallmark of its design. These panels, significantly thicker than those found in most commercially available metal buildings (at least 18 gauge), feature a ‘compound corrugation’ that substantially increases their strength. Complemented by a secondary framing system of 12-gauge steel columns, WHP’s towers can withstand the most stringent wind load and seismic requirements in the country without the need for structural modification. From hurricanes in Florida and Guam to tornadoes in North Dakota, the buildings have proven their resilience and durability. Furthermore, WHP’s training towers are fully modifiable to incorporate every training prop and option it offers. “As fire departments grow and evolve, so can our towers. They are designed to expand seamlessly, ensuring they meet the changing needs of communities,” says Rob Van Bibber, National Preconstruction Manager.