FETA ANNOUNCES STATE-OF-THE-ART SWIFT WATER RESCUE TRAINING FACILITY

BATON ROUGE (February 5, 2026) – The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is proud to announce a state-of-the-art advanced flood rescue training facility to be located at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy (FETA) in Baton Rouge. The facility will feature a FATHOM Swift Water Simulation Tank, the first of its kind in Louisiana.

The $3.5 million in federal funding, secured by Congresswoman Julia Letlow, was announced this week and will support assembly of this critical training facility, with the project expected to move forward in the near future.

This investment enables FETA to provide year-round, indoor swift water and flood rescue training, allowing responders to train in highly realistic, controlled environments regardless of weather conditions.

“This facility represents a major advancement in how we prepare our responders for some of the most dangerous and unpredictable rescue environments they will face,” said DPS Principal Assistant, Chief Bryan J. Adams. “By providing realistic, controlled training conditions, we are improving operational readiness while prioritizing responder safety across the state.”

FETA currently serves 544 fire departments, EMS agencies, military units, and industrial emergency response partners. The new facility significantly expands training capacity while enhancing responder safety and operational readiness. The swift water training program is expected to serve approximately 6,000 students annually, placing Louisiana among only four states nationwide with a FATHOM swift water training facility of this caliber.

In addition, the facility will support 12 new International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and Pro Board–accredited certifications, strengthening professional standards and preparing responders for some of the most hazardous rescue environments.

This facility represents a major advancement for public safety in Louisiana and reinforces the Office of State Fire Marshal’s and FETA’s shared commitment to protecting responders and the communities they serve.

SFM Public Affairs Division, [email protected]