How one WHP Trainingtowers™ leader is helping shape the national standards for firefighter training safety.
When departments look for guidance on safe, modern, and proven fire training facility design, they often turn to NFPA 1402 — the national standard that shapes how training towers, burn buildings, and related structures are built and maintained.
For WHP Trainingtowers™, NFPA 1402 isn’t just something to follow — it’s something we help advance.
At the center of that effort is Joe Kirchner, Chief Operating Officer at WHP Trainingtowers™ and a volunteer member of the NFPA 1402 Technical Committee. Joe brings more than two decades of hands-on experience in designing, fabricating, and constructing training structures across the U.S.
We sat down with Joe to talk about his background, his role on the NFPA committee, and why NFPA 1402 remains essential for every fire department planning or upgrading their training facilities.
Q&A with Joe Kirchner — NFPA 1402 and the Future of Fire Training
Q1: Joe, can you share a bit about your background and what led you to WHP Trainingtowers™?
A: “I was interested in construction from a very early age and was always tinkering with things on the weekends. That interest paved a path for me to K-State’s Construction Science & Management program and various internships. I have been lifelong friends with the Jahnke family and the opportunity presented itself for me to join their family business designing, fabricating and constructing fire training towers in 2003. Under the mentorship of WHP Trainingtower’s owner, Chief Bill Jahnke, Ret., I began to take my construction expertise and use it to develop my craft in the specialty of fire training tower design and construction. After being involved in over 900 fire training construction projects in my 22 years at WHP, I understand that every project is different and relying on a combination of both my expertise and understanding each customer’s individual needs is really what drives a successful project.”
Joe’s story sets the foundation for the perspective he brings to the NFPA 1402 committee — a blend of lifelong construction knowledge, technical precision, and deep respect for the end users: firefighters.
Q2: How would you describe your role as Chief Operating Officer at WHP Trainingtowers™?
A: “As COO, I’m involved in almost every facet of our business. Most customers’ first interaction with WHP is through an email or conversation with one of our preconstruction representatives. Our preconstruction team acts as a guide for people interested in adding fire training structures to their program and is made up of professionals with experience in firefighting, modular construction and construction of facilities for fire training. We pool our expertise and resources and work to solve each customers’ specific needs. From there, I help support the transition from preconstruction to our construction and manufacturing teams. These three teams have an excellent cross-functional relationship and I love being a part of their success as they work together to support the training needs of each customer.”
His leadership role naturally led him into understanding and applying national standards — which made his involvement with NFPA a natural next step.
Q3: For those unfamiliar, what exactly is the NFPA and what does it do for the fire service industry?
A: “The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, is a globally recognized organization promoting safety in fire prevention, hazardous materials, wildfire preparedness and beyond. They work as a nonprofit to share knowledge and information across codes and standards that they develop through over 250 technical committees assembled to include industry leading experts.”
This foundation is essential because NFPA 1402 is one of those standards — and it directly impacts how fire training structures are built and used.
Q4: What is NFPA 1402, and why is it so important for fire training towers and burn buildings?
A: “NFPA 1402 is the Standard on Facilities of Fire Training and Associated Props. This standard provides guidance on site infrastructure, training structures/props and gas-fueled systems among other elements. Although different fire departments experience different types of training needs, this one standard is meant to be a resource to standardize how each element of their training program needs to be designed, inspected and maintained. Having a standard in place provides consistent information to all end users and sets a baseline for those minimum standards promoting training in a safe environment.”
Q5: How did you become involved with NFPA 1402 and its committee?
A: “In my early years with WHP Trainingtowers, I was tasked with ensuring our designs met NFPA 1402 standards. I became very familiar with the technical aspects of the guide and how it related to our customers’ training goals. In 2019, NFPA 1402 transitioned from a guide to a standard. At that time, the technical committee was diligent in addressing as many aspects of fire training facilities as possible knowing that this would be a living document and would need to be adjusted as fire training evolves. Over the past two decades, I’ve gained more first-hand knowledge about the NFPA 1402 standard and how it is applied in real-world training structures and props. I knew that I could be a valuable resource on the technical committee as they continue to promote safe training through this standard.”
His experience — more than 900 projects — is exactly why he now helps shape national guidelines.
Q6: What motivates you to volunteer your time on this committee?
A: “As a living document, I know that the NFPA 1402 standard needs a group of experts that care about the future of fire training in our communities. With my experience in fire training preconstruction, construction and post-construction support, it is my turn to help make an impact on the future of fire training. Collaboration with other members of the technical committee and end users will help drive my goal of continuous learning in the fire training industry.”
Q8: What are the main goals of the NFPA 1402 Committee when revising or updating standards?
A: “Fire training techniques are ever evolving and one of the goals of the NFPA 1402 committee is to keep this document current with the times. The committee reviews public interpretations of the standard and adjusts language to maximize safe training for firefighters.”
Q9: How do you and your fellow members ensure the guidelines reflect real-world needs?
A: “The technical committee is made up of firefighters, instructors, vendors, architects and engineers creating a collaborative environment to tackle safety challenges in modern firefighting. Working for WHP Trainingtowers as a design-build & turn-key company, I have the opportunity to work with many different professionals on projects nationwide which provides me additional insight on real-world needs throughout the country.”
Q11: Why should departments prioritize NFPA 1402 compliance?
A: “When NFPA 1402 transitioned from a guide to a standard in 2019, it became a necessary part of requirements for new facilities for fire training. With the evolving training programs within each individual fire department, it is also important to make sure their current facilities can evolve with them and utilizing NFPA 1402 to standardize the safety of their training program should be an emphasis for their long-term benefits.”
Compliance isn’t just a checklist — it’s a direct investment in firefighter safety and long-term performance of the facility.
Q16: What advice would you give departments starting the design process for a new training facility?
A: “You don’t need to be an expert in the NFPA 1402 standard to start the design process for a new training facility. You respond to emergencies in your community every day. Align yourself with a designer or team who will listen to your goals for training in your community. There are “off-the-shelf” predesigned kits available, however working with a team to design your own purpose-built training tower will meet your specific goals. Designing something specific to your goals is often the most affordable option to maximize your training needs.”
“Training safety begins with strong design and clear standards.”
— Joe Kirchner
Where Standards And Safety Come Together
Joe’s ongoing work with the NFPA 1402 Technical Committee reflects WHP Trainingtowers’™ core belief: that safe, realistic, and adaptable training starts with intentional design.
From engineering training structures to contributing to national standards, Joe and the WHP Trainingtowers™ team continue to push the industry forward — helping departments prepare their firefighters and, most importantly, bring them home safely.
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