This contract is with United Grounds Maintenance Services in the amount of $66,000 to fund Phase 1 of the Savannah Fire Department (SFD) Training Center project.  Phase 1 will cover the demolition and cleanup of the current burn building and training tower. This initial investment is critical to restoring essential training infrastructure for SFD personnel. The existing structures, originally constructed in 1986, have been deemed unsafe and no longer meet the requirements necessary for firefighter training following a recent structural inspection.

Without these facilities, SFD is unable to conduct essential hands-on training in-house, forcing reliance on external sites that may not meet Georgia Firefighter Standards & Training Council (GFSTC) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Georgia law requires all certified firefighters to complete annual training that aligns with both state and national criteria. This includes training in fire suppression, emergency response, technical rescue, and officer development, all of which must occur in compliant and safe environments. Without a functioning, certified training facility, the department risks losing its training credentials, which directly threatens its ability to maintain firefighter certifications and deliver effective emergency services.

The City will utilize a piggybacking agreement to engage United Grounds Maintenance, which is awarded under Bid 25-14 Small Construction under $100,000, which was competitively solicited by the School Board.  This contract expires on January 26, 2026.

C.C. United Grounds Maintenance (Glennville, GA)^(D) $66,000

Approval