WHP Trainingtowers™

Jon Moss, Virtual Design Specialist; Joe Kirchner, COO; Amanda Jahnke, Director of Marketing; Rob Van Bibber, National Preconstruction Manager; Amber DeWitte, Director of Human Resources; Bo Bailey, Director of Production; Maggie Scaletty, President and CEO

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.

WHP’s modular units rely on a fully galvanized structural steel frame for integrity, enabling open floor plans without interior structural walls. The design allows for easy movement, removal, or reconfiguration of all walls, doors, and windows, facilitating a wider range of training exercises. Its MODx system is designed for easy future expansion and boasts a longer life expectancy than other similar products on the market today. WHP offers a diverse array of training props to enhance the training experience, including structural maritime trainers, Class A burn props, burn cribs, NFPA inspections, hazmat props, smoke systems, and custom live-fire training installations. It is here that WHP’s proprietary and patented Padgenite Interlock™ thermal lining system sets the company apart. The high-density board is the most durable and quality-consistent burn room panel available, allowing more training evolutions without requiring cooldown periods between live fire burns.

Designed by Firefighters for Firefighters

Firefighters face a myriad of hazardous situations beyond fires, including industrial incidents involving flammable liquids, poisonous fumes, and explosive chemicals. WHP’s wide variety of hazmat props provides realistic training scenarios through its Hazmat Instructor Series™. This collection of props uses air compressors to simulate smoke, liquid spills, gas leaks, falling cylinders, and exploding drums, giving trainees the challenge of dealing with realistic incidents. From leaking industrial processing and storage tanks to full-size chlorine cylinders and reacting 55-gallon drums, WHP’s props are designed to prepare firefighters for the most critical moments. WHP also assists fire departments with financing. The company offers the resources and guidance necessary to navigate the financing process. It simplifies the entire process for fire departments by offering a turnkey solution. Rather than juggling multiple points of contact and managing various aspects of the project independently, customers benefit from a singular focus provided by WHP’s team members. The streamlined approach reduces stress and complexity, allowing departments to focus on their primary mission—saving lives and protecting property.

“Our solutions are designed by firefighters and engineers specifically for fire training. This expertise ensures that the training environments are effective and adaptable to the changing needs of fire departments,” says Joe Kirchner, Executive Vice President of Operations. “By continuously innovating and improving our products, we ensure that fire departments have the most advanced and effective training tools available, preparing them to meet any challenge they may face.”

To enhance efficiency in producing MODx™ modular towers and Padgenite™ burn room tiles, WHP has expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the addition of a new manufacturing facility. Looking ahead, the goal is to continually expand and improve its product range. The company is dedicated to introducing new hazmat props, developing innovative building solutions, and conducting ongoing research and development on existing products. This proactive approach ensures that WHP meets the evolving training requirements of the industry while staying ahead by anticipating future needs in the fire service sector. Recognizing the critical role of fire training in the functionality of local governments and the safety of citizens, WHP is dedicated to supporting local fire departments in achieving their goals. To further this mission, the company plans to expand its operations into Canada and other international markets. The expansion will broaden WHP’s reach and enhance its impact within the global fire service community.

Commitment to Customer-Centric Development

At the core of WHP’s success is its close monitoring of the fire service industry’s requirements and the integration of customer feedback into its design and construction processes. This customer-centric approach ensures that WHP’s products and services provide maximum value, closely mirroring real-life scenarios encountered in daily fire service operations. WHP’s team includes numerous firefighters who possess in-depth knowledge of the field. These professionals maintain constant contact with key local fire department leaders and decision-makers. Their insights are regularly shared with the company’s engineers and designers, ensuring that the solutions developed truly reflect the fire service’s demands and needs.

“Being in the fire training support business is both a privilege and a duty,” says Scaletty. “We could not be happier with the journey we have taken so far, and we are excited about where we are headed. My vision for WHP has grown over the decades, and I am eager to take it further with the next generation of executive business leaders. We are right where we want to be and thrilled about the future.”