| Building Up Homeland Security |
 J. S. Vig Construction Co. has constructed a facility like no other to meet the need for both classroom training and lifelike simulations in the homeland-security and emergency-preparedness areas.With its large bay for fire-fighting apparatus, the 12,000-square-foot building, at Wayne County Community College District’s Downriver campus, might look a bit like a firehouse, coupled with a few extra classrooms, at first glance. But once the flames start rising into the air, or police start practicing their assault tactics, or divers plunge into the facility’s man-made lake in simulated rescue operations, the visitor will quickly recognize that this is not your typical college complex. Several years ago, partly in response to post-9/11 security needs, WCCCD made the decision to create a comprehensive one-stop shop for first-responder training. Now its Downriver campus houses the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education, which serves homeland security, fire, law enforcement, EMS and industrial personnel at the local, state and national level. “We have a highly professional staff here, and each one of us did research to determine the best practices in the country,” said Anthony Arminiak, vice president and provost of the Downriver campus, who directs the institute. WCCCD hired J.S. Vig Construction Co. to create the $6 million state-of-the-art-facility and give firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians and others a venue where they can develop and sharpen their skills. Part of the project was more or less conventional. The main building’s interior has a 1,100 square-foot mezzanine, resembling that of a firehouse. There are also offices for staff, showers and locker areas. The building’s decorative block was chosen to match much of the WCCCD complex, although its maroon metal panels set the building off from the mostly white-paneled campus. Outside, there is a five-story tower for SWAT teams and firefighters to scale, and a 50,000 square-foot driver training area. Screen walls along the eastern property line are designed to provide extra noise protection for neighboring residents, even though the center is basically used during the day. The fire-breathing simulators give first-responders the chance to hone their fire suppression and rescue skills. Participants even can practice putting out fires of varying intensity on the tower. Or practice rappelling techniques or the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus, among many other possibilities. “A first responder can come here, and, in just an eight-hour day, be exposed to vehicle and aircraft fire suppression and to a shipboard simulation,” Arminiak said. The ship trainer, measuring 8 by 48 feet, is designed to present first-responders with the surroundings that firefighters and law enforcement officials would face when dealing with terrorist tactics or searching for weapons of mass destruction. So does the 40-foot-long aircraft trainer. The center even has pipes large enough to entrap a human being. There trainees can practice ways to xtricate people inside. A 4-by-4-foot operating elevator provides a similar opportunity. The main building was designed to facilitate expansion, and more features may be added to the existing portion,Arminiak said. “People ask me what we are going to do next,” he said. “When the issue is homeland security, you don’t always know. But we will be ready.” One room could become “burn” room with a propane burner in a fireplace to simulate a home fire, he said. Many features would be unusual on a college campus or anywhere else. To build this project, J.S. Vig Construction Co. had to reach deeply into its reservoir of expertise, especially for an underground propane system. “We did a lot of value engineering that improved the whole project early on,” said Dan Hall, construction superintendent. Concrete slabs surround the structure, so heavy utility vehicles and fire trucks can perform their maneuvers. The 9-inch-deep slabs are robust enough to support the heaviest commercial vehicles. “If there is a hazardous material spill, you have to dike it with sand, and the county drivers can come in for that with their trucks,” he said. The tons of water that the firefighters use in fire suppression are another abuse that the concrete has to endure. “Most facilities don’t have a thousand tons of water being dumped on the site,” said the architect, John Wilkie, of Wilkie and Zanley Architects. And that wasn’t the only water posing a challenge. The property has a high water table, and the J.S. Vig Construction Co. reconfigured the earth beneath the site, adding stone and drainage tile, and re-sloping the base. “In the end, we were able to shorten up the footings, and saving a great deal of concrete,” said Hall. “We also were able to save some money by eliminating a sanitary sump pump.” Another unusual challenge was building the propane system delivering fuel to each of the simulators. “The big thing is that we ran high and low pressure buried piping from a supply tank to the different simulators,” Hall said. Working the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Hall determined the materials and specifications for the pipelines and supervised the construction of the concrete cradles for the 12,000-gallon tank. The system draws off both the gaseous propane from the upper portion of the tank and liquid propane from the lower part. The simulators burn both forms of the fuel, and two separate lines deliver it to them. ”The reason that they use propane over natural gas is that natural gas burns too clearly and you don’t get the sooty, smoky effect that you would get in normal fire” said Hall. “We lit up the liquid propane the other day under high pressure, and we had a couple of simulators going. With the wind blowing, we had flames 50 feet long.” It was the kind of success that provided its own fireworks. |
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what others are saying:
“With its tremendously skilled, hard-working team, J.S. Vig Construction helped fulfill the vision that the City of Romulus had in mind when we set out to build the Romulus Athletic Center. Thanks to J.S. Vig, the Romulus Athletic Center is now a beautiful, award-winning and popular athletic facility that has become the jewel in Romulus' crown.”
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
“It has been a pleasure working with J.S. Vig on numerous projects over the past few years. They exhibit professionalism and honesty in their work, along with a willingness to look at options and alternate approaches to make project happen and succeed.”
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
“ J.S. Vig is a company that is easy to work with because of their integrity. Our two firms have prospered from an over 30-year relationship, including many projects and personnel, which could not have happened without ongoing dedication to quality and honesty.”
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
“I have enjoyed over a 20-year relationship, built on honesty and professionalism, with J.S. Vig Construction Company.”
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
“J. S. Vig Construction Company has built over 500,000 sf for Avis Farms. We have found their staff and subcontractors to be honest, creative and responsive in meeting our aggressive project goals.”
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
“…Simply one of the most organized and talented construction teams that I have had the pleasure of working with in 25 years.”
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
“J.S. Vig Construction Company is honest, efficient, responsive, and completes each project with the client's needs in mind.”
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
“While this was an extremely difficult project in terms of phasing and working around our children, the employees of J.S. Vig did an outstanding job!”
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
“Through the entire pre-construction and warranty phases, your people have been responsive, professional, and cost-efficient. I would welcome the opportunity to recommend your firm and look forward to working together in the future.”
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
