The City of Anderson Fire Department was designated by District 6 Firefighter
Training Council as the district training hub. The district training hub in each
of the 10 Indiana Homeland Security Districts is the central focal point for
training activities in the district. The District training hub usually has
significant more training capability than other training facilities within the
district. Governor Mitch Daniels on May 5 stated “Training will occur as close
to home as practical”
A training hub that will serve The Anderson Fire Department training facility
will in addition to training the city firefighters as well as fire departments
in Madison County and Madison, Howard, Tipton, Grant, Blackford, Jay, Randolph,
Delaware, Henry, Wayne, Rush, Fayette and Union surrounding counties.
This facility will provide an opportunity to all District 6 firefighters to
receive consistent training that will improve the overall response to a variety
of emergencies faced by communities each and every day.
IDHS Division of Training Director Joe Wainscott along with Indiana
Firefighter Training System Section Chief John Buchman were on hand for the
groundbreaking ceremony. Mayor Kevin Smith and Fire Chief Phil Rogers spoke
during the ceremony.
Director Joe Wainscott praised city officials for their innovative approach
to firefighter training and applauded the spirit of cooperation that is a
hallmark of Mayor Kevin Smith administration.
The training facility consist of 18 acres of ground. The training facility
will see a training tower, flashover chamber, confined space and trench rescue
drill facilities. The training site will have the roads to allow for driver
training as well operational areas for fire trucks. The Anderson firefighters
operate a dive rescue program and the plans include a diving pond. There are
long range plans for a classroom building to be constructed.
Funding for the construction project comes from the City of Anderson and
Mayor Smith collection of unpaid ambulance fees more than three years ago. Mayor
Smith has committed through this project to give back to the public safety
personnel a world-class training facility.
The partnership that has been created between all of the fire departments in
District 6 has created a positive example for remaining areas of the state to
emulate. Fire Chief Phillip Rogers is committed to supporting the State Training
concept.
Governor Mitch Daniels upon taking office set the development process in
motion by directing the Department of Homeland Security to create a state
firefighter training system, as they are among the first responders to any
security or public safety threat.
Train as if YOUR life depends on it...because it does!
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