Local fire departments discuss possible training center

Local fire departments and an educational institute are in the early discussions of creating a regional public safety training center.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department has taken the lead on the project. Fire Chief Dave Hannenman and training Chief Jon Perry met with the College of Eastern Idaho last month to discuss proposals.

The idea is to create a facility in eastern Idaho to train both current firefighters and people looking to become firefighters. It could also offer academic education for firefighters through local community colleges and universities.

The facility would provide one location and dedicated props for advanced training.

“Our training tower in Idaho Falls is nearly 60 years old,” said Chief Hannenman. “It’s not really suitable for the training that we need to do now. We don’t have a lot of props to train with. We’re making do, but we really need to have a long term solution.”

The fire department is inviting stakeholders October 16 to discuss more.

Invited stakeholders include: City of Idaho Falls/Idaho Falls Fire Department, College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, Idaho National Laboratory Fire Department, Madison Fire Department, and Blackfoot Fire Department.

The goal is to get some common vision on what could happen for a fire academy, training center, and an academic institution.