Emergency preparation is imperative for local EMS, especially when a new hospital is on the horizon.

It was with that thought in mind that several fire departments converged on the site of the new St. Luke’s Carbon Campus to participate in emergency training on Monday.

Bret Buchman, project manager, planning and construction, led the tour at the 108-acre hospital and wellness complex located at the intersection of Fairyland and Harrity roads in Franklin Township.

A group of about 50 firefighters from the Franklin Township Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department, and Palmerton Fire Department took part in the emergency training.

Franklin fire Chief Lynn Diehl said it’s important for firefighters to know all the nuances of the facility if or when they receive a call to respond.

“We want to make sure everybody knows what the place looks like,” Diehl said. “We appreciate everybody coming out.”

Lehighton fire Chief Patrick Mriss said the training session could only serve to help firefighters.

“It’s important knowing the heights of the building, how we can get in during the day,” Mriss said.

Palmerton fire Chief Jason Behler said the training was “definitely a worthwhile effort.”

“It’s definitely an impressive facility,” Behler said. “Efforts like tonight helps us fine tune.”

Buchman said the training was critical for all EMS.

“You can’t get them familiar enough,” Buchman said. “You want them comfortable in an emergency situation.”

The new $80 million St. Luke’s Carbon Campus remains on track to open by late fall. Once the new three-story, 160-square-foot hospital opens, it will be the largest of its kind in the history of the county.

It will feature Level IV trauma emergency care, acute, critical and chronic medical care provided by medical experts, along with wellness resources on the new campus that will offer convenient opportunities for improving one’s health through fitness, health education and nutrition.

Within a year of opening the main campus, a three-story, 50,000-square-foot medical office building will also be built connected to the hospital. Cancer, cardiac, orthopedics care, pain management and physical therapy services and physicians’ offices will occupy this facility, along with a full fitness center and more.

A fitness-walking trail that encircles the complex will offer staff, patients and visitors the opportunity to exercise in a setting bordered by picturesque mountains and an organic farm, or to seek solace in a lavender and sunflower meditation and healing garden.

In October 2019, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the St. Luke’s Carbon Campus. They physically broke ground in July of 2020.

Built with American steel, the St. Luke’s Carbon Campus will be equipped with 80 beds, 20 emergency department exam rooms, three operating rooms and two OR procedure rooms. Specialty services will include trauma, cardiology, neurology and radiology, among others.