Louisiana's Fire & Emergency Training Academy to Add a Fathom Swift Water Simulation Tank
Louisiana's State Fire Marshal announced that FETA will build the state's first indoor swift water training facility around a Fathom tank, backed by $3.5 million in federal funding.
On February 5, 2026, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal announced plans for a new swift water rescue training facility at the Louisiana Fire & Emergency Training Academy (FETA), on the academy's campus at 6868 Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge. At its center will be a FATHOM Swift Water Simulation Tank, the first of its kind in Louisiana.
The project is funded by $3.5 million in federal money secured by Congresswoman Julia Letlow. According to the State Fire Marshal, it will put Louisiana among just four states with a Fathom swift water training facility of this caliber.
Year-Round Training for a Flood-Prone State
Few states know floodwater like Louisiana. With a Fathom tank indoors, FETA will be able to run realistic flood and swift water rescue scenarios every day of the year, regardless of conditions outside.
DPS Principal Assistant Chief Bryan J. Adams said the facility will strengthen both the readiness and the safety of the responders who train there.
Built for Scale
- About 6,000 students a year are expected to train in the swift water program
- FETA already serves 544 fire, EMS, military and industrial response partners
- The facility will support 12 new IFSAC and Pro Board-accredited certifications
That scale is what an indoor tank makes possible. Instead of a few training windows each year, FETA can schedule classes continuously and give every student the same controlled, repeatable conditions.
Joining a Growing Network
Louisiana's tank will join a growing network of Fathom-built facilities, including Fathom Academy in Georgetown, Texas, where the Harris County Sheriff's Office Flood Rescue Group earned its swift water rescue certifications. Each new facility means more responders can train close to home before the next flood.