Regional Training System
Gov. Holcomb, IDHS announce PPE for volunteer fire departments across Indiana
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and IDHS have announced the $10 million state investment in 940 sets of new personal protective equipment (PPE) for volunteer firefighters to better serve their communities.
Volunteer Fire Department PPE Distribution
In 2023, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and IDHS secured state funding totaling $17.7 million for fire training and equipment. Out of these funds, $10 million in new personal protective equipment (PPE) has been issued to volunteer fire departments across the state. These funds represent the first-ever funding allocated by the General Assembly for firefighter training and equipment.
Sixty-six departments received full sets of PPE (turnout gear and SCBA setup) based on their needs and the age of their current equipment. The selection process addressed the poorest volunteer departments first and those with the oldest equipment.
The funds are administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and IDHS. The vendor, MES Inc., will work directly with individual firefighters to measure and fit the equipment before delivery.
IDHS accepted submissions for several months in 2023 to determine the highest need departments. The application process is now closed.
Hub-and-Spoke Training Model
The Hub-and-Spoke Firefighter Training plan brings training closer for firefighters across the state while also adding consistency and quality control to basic firefighter training in Indiana.
First Hub-and-Spoke Sites Break Ground
The first four sites in the Hub-and-Spoke Firefighter Training plan have held groundbreaking ceremonies for their new fire training centers that will help bridge the gap between Hoosier communities' firefighters and much-needed training. These training centers will feature state-of-the-art, three-story training towers. The first sites are in Rensselaer, Linton, Wabash and Corydon.
Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, IDHS and fire leaders kicked off the first phase of these efforts in 2023 following the General Assembly earmarking funds earlier in the year.
Rensselaer
Rensselaer
Linton
Linton
Wabash
Wabash
Corydon
Corydon
This map is intended to represent the primary training sites currently existing and supported by state funding. Additional proposed sites are not finalized.
Expansion Begins
The first phase of this model includes four new physical training locations to be built in Corydon, Linton, Rensselaer and Wabash. These new sites are expected to be completed and ready for use in the first quarter of 2024. In total, the state will be investing $7.7 million in new training sites like the four initial sites. The goal with these funds is to provide high-quality, physical training structures within 30 miles or 45 minutes of all career and volunteer departments. The new sites will join more than a dozen sites already utilized for state firefighter training.
The updated training model includes a live burn training structure on the sites by IDHS. The sites will be locally owned and maintained, although the state will construct the training facility and help with site preparation where necessary.
In addition to the $7.7 million provided by the General Assembly in the most recent two-year budget, IDHS was also granted an additional $10 million to provide new personal protective equipment (PPE) for volunteer firefighters across the state.
This map is intended to represent the primary training sites currently existing and supported by state funding. The proposed sites are not finalized.
Background
Legislation in 2015 established the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy system to meet the training needs of career and volunteer firefighters across the state. Many urban communities have their own training facilities, and the Academy hosts regular trainings to help fill the gaps to reach firefighters across Indiana. In 2022, the Academy trained nearly 2,300 people through a full curriculum of fire and hazmat training offerings. Still, many rural communities, most staffed by volunteers, find it difficult to travel to training sites. Additionally, the level of trainings may vary at sites not operated by the Academy.
To help address this shortfall, the Indiana General Assembly in 2023 approved more than $7 million to construct basic, physical firefighter training locations in areas of Indiana where firefighters must drive more than 30 miles to receive quality training.
These new training sites will be locally owned and maintained, and the state will support the construction of tower and burn facilities to allow for all hands-on firefighter training associated with the Firefighter I and Firefighter II required training. To be considered for one of these training locations, local communities must, at a minimum:
- Be located in an identified area of need
- Own property with the infrastructure to allow for live burn training, such as utilities and access for fire department apparatus
- Open the site to regional fire departments for training
Additional considerations for site selection:
- Support from local officials
- Greatest impact to total population and fire departments within 30-mile radius
All sites will be outfitted with equipment packages that include structures and props to allow firefighters to experience live fire behavior at industry-standard levels.
Additional investments include $10 million in critical personal protective equipment (PPE) for volunteer fire departments and additional mobile training equipment for statewide use.