Building site serves lifesaving purpose
Written on May 31, 2009
CLAYTON — Although the shops and offices lining the 7700 block of Forsyth Boulevard are being demolished, they provided one last extraordinary service this month.
Centene Corp. and Clayco gave permission for firefighters from around St. Louis County to use the buildings for training exercises.
A dozen fire departments, 45 fire crews and 165 firefighters rushed into the buildings, handled clouds of artificial smoke and did a variety of training exercises in those buildings, according to Clayton Fire Chief Mark Thorp.
During four-hour, daytime classes, the firefighters practiced mock civilian rescues and self-rescues, large-area search and rescue missions and deployed large hoses to spray water instant payday loan.
Rising from the site will be the 17-story Centene Tower, part of a project will include the tower, a 1,000 space parking garage, space for restaurants and shops and the Forsyth Court public plaza, all on half of a city block.
Filed in: online.