FTCC Opens the East Coast's First Indoor Swift Water Rescue Facility, Built Around a Fathom Tank
Fayetteville Technical Community College cut the ribbon on its Swift Water Rescue Training Facility in November 2023, with a 140,000-gallon Fathom Tanks simulation tank at its core.
On November 13, 2023, Fayetteville Technical Community College held a ribbon-cutting for its new Swift Water Rescue Training Facility, followed by live training demonstrations in the tank. The facility is part of FTCC's Dr. J. Larry Keen Fire & Emergency Training Complex on Tom Starling Road in Fayetteville. When it opened, it was the only indoor swift water rescue training facility on the East Coast.
FTCC President Mark Sorrells used the ceremony to stress the need for high-quality water rescue training that responders can actually get to. Fathom Tanks supplied the swift water simulation technology at the heart of the building.
Inside the Tank
- 140,000 gallons of water in an indoor, controlled environment
- Ten pumps generating currents of up to 7 knots
- Adjustable water temperature, weather effects and obstacles
- Night rescue scenarios at any hour of the day
Responders can train year-round, whatever the weather, the season or the river levels. That's something outdoor swiftwater training can't promise.
Built Bigger Than Planned
FTCC first planned an 88,000-gallon tank. After college leaders visited Fathom's indoor training facility in Texas, the plan grew to 140,000 gallons, making it the largest indoor swift water complex in the nation when it opened.
Since Opening Day
Rescue teams from along the East Coast signed up to train before the doors even opened, and demand has continued since. Fort Liberty's Army firefighters, Lakeland, Florida's police dive team and many others have trained in FTCC's Fathom tank. In 2025, PBS NC featured the facility as one of the most advanced water rescue training sites in the country.
Related Coverage
Sources
- Greater Fayetteville Business Journal: FTCC holds ribbon-cutting and demonstrations at new Swift Water Rescue Training Facility (Nov. 13, 2023)
- Up & Coming Weekly: FTCC's state-of-the-art swift water rescue training center
- PBS NC, ncIMPACT: Inside One of America's Most Advanced Water Rescue Training Facilities (Feb. 7, 2025)