MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. (WENY) -- After two years of construction, the New York State Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls was officially able to open up their new Field Operations Building. 

On Thursday, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services unveiled the new $5.5 million facility. The facility, which is operated by the Division's Office of Fire Prevention and Control will be used to support the office's firefighter training programs. The building will help enhance the training experience for nearly 5,000 firefighters who train at the Academy each year. The 20,000 square foot facility includes two large classrooms with comprehensive technology systems, increased garage space for the Academy's fire trucks, a storage area for firefighter gear and training gear and much more. 

State Fire Administrator Francis Nerney says the state had to make some changes to the new facility due to COVID-19.

"Our classrooms are typically occupancy higher than what we're using now, we're less than 50 percent in all of our rooms. All of our functions are less than 50 percent and under 50 people no matter what we're doing," says Nerney.

Funding for the new facility was secured in the New York State Budget when it was first announced through Governor Cuomo's 2018 State of the State.