HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Pennybyrn, a senior living and healthcare community, is preparing to expand its services with the help of the High Point Fire Department.

With plans to build a stand-alone transitional rehab center, to be known as the “Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center," Pennybyrn has donated several properties scheduled for future removal to be used for fire training.

Training Chief, Tim Layton, says the conditions of a live burn in this type of structure cannot be mimicked in a burn building.

“This is probably the best live fire or firefighter training that we can get because it is as close to the real thing as we can get,” said Layton.

Transitional Services Coordinator, Pamela Olson, said the new center and programs offered will be for older adults who have been hospitalized recently or need to strengthen their body.

Services will include inpatient rehab stays, physical speech therapy, a dietary program, and more.

 “Currently we do not offer outpatient therapy services and this new program will give us the opportunity to do so,” explained Olson.

Olson said she expects the project to be completed in two years.