AUBURN, Indiana (August 9, 2006) -- Governor Mitch Daniels will dedicate the first state-sponsored firefighter training center today. The new Auburn Fire Training Center will serve as a central training hub for firefighters from across Northeast Indiana.

The Indiana Fire Training System will standardize training that previously has been done independently by hundreds of fire departments across the state. Indiana is one of the last states to operate without such a system. State government, in coordination with local governments, plans to establish regional training centers in all 10 Indiana Homeland Security Districts.

"I learned from firefighters while traveling the state how long they have hoped for an academy like other states. We take our commitments very seriously, and today we're delighted to deliver on an important one," said Daniels.

Doug Cox, the Auburn Fire Department training chief, said the system will help fire departments small and large by providing access to important training tools.

"This center will also help enhance the working relationships we have with other area fire departments that we sometimes work with when responding to a large fire," said Cox.

"This represents a big stepping stone for the training needs of all Indiana firefighters and will help us achieve the ultimate goal of making sure all firefighters go home safely at the end of the day," said William Harter, Angola Fire Department captain and chair of the District 3 Training Committee.

The new system has three primary objectives:

• Deliver consistent, high quality training as closely to each firefighter?s home as practical
• Build collaboration among Indiana fire departments and strong partnerships between state and local government, as well as the private sector.
• Increase the response capabilities and expertise of the Indiana Fire Service sector.

Legislation approved earlier this year and signed into law by the governor included a new five percent safety fee on the sales of fireworks, which is providing funding for the establishment of the training system.

Note: The facility dedication and fire training demonstration will be at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Fire Department, 902 S. Grandstaff Drive in Auburn.