Hub and Spoke training site (Photo provided)
(Image provided)
Indiana Governor Mike Braun says the state’s Hub-and-Spoke training sites are complete. “This is a great accomplishment for our state, especially our first responders,” said Governor Braun. “We saw a gap, and we filled it. Now, firefighters are able to be trained within 30 miles of their community. This reduces their travel time, the wear and tear on their engines and allows for greater access to ensure our rural communities have what they need to serve Hoosiers.” The list of new training sites includes Rensselaer.
In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly approved $17.7 million for fire training and equipment for the first time for firefighters, a news release said. This was done to address the shortfalls in many rural communities, most staffed by volunteers, who find it difficult to travel to training sites. Additionally, the level of trainings may vary at sites not operated by Indiana’s Fire and Public Safety Academy.
Of the $17.7 million, the state invested $7.7 million in new training sites. The goal was to provide high-quality, physical training structures within 30 miles, or 45 minutes, of all career and volunteer departments. Fourteen new training sites were added across the state:
• Corydon, Harrison County
• Covington, Fountain County
• Chrisney, Spencer County
• Hartford City, Blackford County
• Linton, Greene County
• Paoli, Orange County
• Plainfield, Hendricks County
• Rensselaer, Jasper County
• Rushville, Rush County
• Seymour, Jackson County
• Vincennes, Knox County
• Wabash, Wabash County
• Washington Township, Daviess County
• Winchester, Randolph County
The remaining $10 million was invested in new personal protective equipment (PPE) issued to volunteer fire departments across the state.
“The Hub-and-Spoke program has been crucial to improving training for firefighters across the state,” said State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. “No matter where they live, firefighters now have access to basic training equipment to do their job to and return home safely at the end of a run.”
These new training sites, shown above, are locally owned and maintained, and the state is supported 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.
“The new Hub-and-Spoke site has proved to be a true game-changer for Vincennes and Knox County,” said Jeff Latta, Division Chief of Training of the Vincennes Fire Department. “Live fire training has always been a challenge for our community, but we now have a dedicated facility to train with and provide our fire fighters with actual live fire training. With Vincennes and Vincennes Township, this facility has provided better opportunities for our departments to train together and work on inter-agency tactics.”
