AUBURN, Mass. - Close to a dozen fire departments in Central Massachusetts will be able to use a new regional training facility that's being built in Auburn. 

Auburn Fire Chief Stephen Coleman says the possibilities for training are endless, inside and outside a new four story fire training facility.

"We are very excited, that it is finally coming. This has been a long time of planning and design and construction," said Coleman.  

Eleven departments will use ​the building which is made from shipping containers. 

It replaces the old training facility built in 1999. A federal grant of more than $520,000, as well as a big donation, made it possible.

"This is literally like Christmas to us. What we have here is something that we appreciate. We know that there are a lot of departments across the county that don't this opportunity to have a building like this," said Justin Brigham, Captain, of Auburn Fire and Rescue Department.  

Coleman says the building will have three burn rooms. Parts of it will also be set up like a real house. 

Firefighters will be able to practice forced entries, working on roofs, as well as search and rescues. 

"We have to train every day in order to keep skills sharp, new technologies and things that come down the line, so to have building like this so we can apply those skills, in as real life situations as we can, its invaluable to the health and safety and the well being of our firefighters," said Coleman. 

"It's crucial. We have to have that realistic training. That is the only way we can really practice the skills that we are going to need," said Brigham. 

And to have it ready in December near the anniversaries of many tragic losses for the Worcester Fire Department...is not lost on the firefighters. 

"Its on everybody mind, to be able to erect a building like this and know what it is going to be used for,  in some respect, it pays tribute to those guys, that we are able to train and learn, and be able to do certain things in their memory, " said Colman.  

Chief Coleman expects to start training in the building sometime within the next two weeks.