New Training Sites in Operation with More on the Way
Seven of the 14 planned Hub-and-Spoke training facilities are operational and hosting courses.
Construction for six of the seven remaining sites is expected to be completed by fall 2025.
Hub-and-Spoke Training Model
The Hub-and-Spoke Firefighter Training plan brings training closer for firefighters across the state and adds consistency and quality control to basic firefighter training in Indiana. In 2023, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and IDHS secured state funding totaling $17.7 million for fire training and equipment. These funds represent the first-ever funding allocated by the General Assembly for firefighter training and equipment.
The updated training model includes a live burn training structure on the IDHS sites. The sites are locally owned and maintained, although the state is constructing the training facility and helping with site preparation where necessary.
New Training Facilities
The state is investing $7.7 million in new training sites. The goal is to provide high-quality, physical training structures within 30 miles or 45 minutes of all career and volunteer departments. The new sites join over a dozen sites already utilized for state firefighter training.
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 2024, the Academy certified nearly 13,600 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 approved $7.7 million in 2023 to construct firefighter training locations within a 45-minute drive of most fire departments.
These new training sites are locally owned and maintained, and the state is supporting 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 were to have, at a minimum:
- Been located in an identified area of need
- Owned property with the infrastructure to allow for live burn training, such as utilities and access for fire department apparatus
- Opened the site to regional fire departments for training
Additional considerations for site selection:
- Support from local officials
- The most significant impact on the total population and fire departments within a 30-mile radius
All sites are being outfitted with equipment packages that include structures and props, allowing firefighters to experience live fire behavior at industry-standard levels.
Volunteer Fire Department PPE Distribution
Of the $17.7 million approved by the legislature, $10 million in new personal protective equipment (PPE) was issued to volunteer fire departments across the state.
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 were administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and IDHS. The vendor, MES Inc., worked 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.