Fire Training Facility

Customer profile

The South San Joaquin County Fire Authority was established in 1999 through a partnership between the City of Tracy and the Tracy Rural Fire District. Since its formation, the agency has served the growing Tracy community while operating as one of the largest fire agencies on the West Coast without immediate access to a dedicated fire training facility.

To better support firefighter education, emergency preparedness, and long-term operational readiness, the agency pursued development of a permanent fire training facility in Tracy, California.

The Challenge

As a public agency operating within strict budget limitations, the Fire Authority was required to follow a formal procurement process through either an RFP bidding process or an approved cooperative purchasing agreement.

By leveraging Mobile Modular’s participation in the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, the agency was able to streamline procurement and keep the project moving efficiently while maintaining compliance with purchasing requirements.

In addition to budget constraints, the project also presented significant transportation and logistical challenges. The six modular units were manufactured overseas and transported from China to Tracy, California. Due to the building height reaching approximately 17 feet during transport, delivery crews were required to repeatedly exit and re-enter freeways to avoid bridge abutments and low-clearance obstacles along the route.

The project also required extensive value engineering throughout development to ensure the final design aligned with available funding while still meeting operational goals.

The Solution

Mobile Modular collaborated closely with the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority, project contractors, and multiple government agencies to successfully coordinate delivery and installation of the permanent modular training facility.

The modular building consists of six 12’ x 60’ wood-frame modules with metal chassis construction and durable Hardie board exterior cladding, designed specifically for long-term use and California compliance.

To overcome transportation challenges, Mobile Modular worked alongside CHP and Caltrans to secure specialized transport permits required for oversized deliveries.

Mobile Modular’s engineering team also provided the foundational drawings necessary for the awarded site contractor responsible for grading, underground work, and utility installation. This collaborative approach helped ensure all site development components remained coordinated throughout construction.

One of the most valuable parts of the process was providing the customer an opportunity to walk through the building while it was approximately 80% complete, allowing final adjustments and refinements before delivery to the site.

The Outcome

The permanent fire training facility was successfully delivered, installed, and completed within project requirements. All punch list items identified during pre-installation and final inspections were addressed and resolved.

The South San Joaquin County Fire Authority was pleased with the final quality of the building and the collaborative approach taken throughout the project. The completed facility now provides a long-term, California-compliant training environment that will support firefighter training and emergency response preparation for years to come.

As part of the larger $6 million City of Tracy project, Mobile Modular demonstrated flexibility and coordination while working alongside multiple public agencies and contractors throughout the development process.

Customer Quote

"Getting an opportunity to walk through the building while 80% complete was instrumental in its overall success. It’s one thing to conceptually design the building and the fine details, but it’s another to physically walk through it and make adjustments before delivery."