The building was dedicated Thursday evening to Frank Stefanelli, a former chief of the Jamestown Fire Department and certified New York state fire instructor. The structure replaced a former burn building at the Harrison Street training grounds.

A plaque was presented at the dedication that includes Stefanelli’s name and dates of service. The plaque will be placed on the burn building at a later date.

In being recognized, Stefanelli said it was an “honor” to have worked alongside many first responders during his time as a firefighters, fire chief and instructor.

“They all gave me the privilege to serve,” he said.

The plaque that will be hung on the new burn building at the training center in Jamestown.

Julius Leone, Chautauqua County director of Emergency Services, said Stefanelli was a mentor to many young firefighters in the area. He noted many of the firefighters in attendance for the dedication were taught by Stefanelli.

“Like your first kindergarten teacher … everyone always remembers their first fire instructor,” Leone said. “And a lot of us in this room can point to Frank because we all remember that.

“The guys and gals that walk into the Stefanelli Burn Building will always remember that name,” he continued. “They will see all of those accomplishments right there (on the plaque). They will see that this guy did some really, really great things for the fire service.”

Also speaking Thursday was PJ Wendel, chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee. The legislature allocated funds for the construction of the burn building, one of two located within the county for “live fire” training for departments.

“This is a great sign of mutual aid and how we work together,” Wendel said.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Samuel Salemme, city Battalion Fire Chief, also spoke, both of whom praised Stefanelli’s service.

Stefanelli was a member of the Jamestown Fire Department from 1960 to 1980, the last decade of which he served as fire chief. He was a state fire instructor from 1968 to 1975 and the deputy state fire administrator for five years in the early ’90s.

The longtime first responder was one of the first graduates at Erie Community College to receive an associate’s degree in fire science. Soon after he began teaching firefighters in Chautauqua County as a state instructor.