CalFire Training Institute

Multi-Room AV Overhaul for California’s Premier Firefighting Academy

Project Introduction and Scope

Cal FIRE’s 420-acre training campus near Ione, CA, is home to California’s top fire protection training program. But behind the live fire simulations and first-response drills, the classroom AV systems were stuck decades in the past. AV Structural was brought in to overhaul the AV infrastructure—modernizing five classrooms, multiple meeting spaces, and two auditoriums with new tools that enhance both learning and instruction. With Extron’s advanced DTP® systems and AV Structural’s engineering expertise, Cal FIRE now has training rooms that meet the same high standard as their fire grounds.

Scope:
Five classrooms, multiple meeting spaces, two auditoriums—all upgraded with new AV systems

Key Technologies

  • Extron DTP® Systems
  • Live Video Annotation
  • Multi-Room AV Control
  • Signal Management Over Long Distances
  • Sand Table Broadcast Capability

The Challenge

The original AV systems, last upgraded in the mid-1990s, suffered from performance issues, poor reliability, and limited flexibility. AV Structural was tasked with overhauling these systems across multiple spaces, all while working around an active training calendar and within a strict timeline.

The Execution

Our team designed and installed independent AV presentation systems in each space, featuring Extron DTP® technology, live video annotation tools, and centralized control interfaces. We optimized long-distance signal integrity, overcame conduit limitations, and delivered a user-friendly experience across all rooms.

The Results

The new AV infrastructure has dramatically improved the training environment at Cal FIRE. Instructors now benefit from system-wide reliability and uniform interfaces that minimize distractions and maximize teaching time. The added ability to annotate live video and showcase dynamic elements like sand table simulations has made a measurable impact on classroom engagement and instruction quality. The project was completed on time and without interrupting any training operations—making it a model example of efficient AV implementation in a high-demand public safety environment.

Your Structural Partner from Concept to Completion