Background—Who We Are

In 1987, a group of Firefighters from the Wayne County Fire and Rescue Association (WCFRA) attended a Fire Department Instructors Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.  They returned with an idea for improving our local fire training programs.  Their objective was to have a local facility where area Fire Departments could send their members to a facility that would have the equipment, props, and buildings needed to meet the demands of a first-rate fire training program.

That dream became a reality in 1990, when the State of Ohio offered the Association a piece of land near Apple Creek for the sum of $1.00.  Dozens of volunteers came together to provide the labor; multiple businesses donated materials and many individuals and organizations made generous financial contributions.   These combined resources enabled us to build our first prop, the Survival Maze, in 1992.  Thus, the Wayne County Regional Training Facility (WCRTF) was officially in operation.

Current Status—What We Have

Today, the Facility has 60 acres of land housing 12 different buildings.  These buildings are used for training, storage of 7 pieces of apparatus, numerous portable training props and equipment, and several stationary oil and gas training props.  WCRTF is widely used as seen 2016 when over 2000 students and instructors from 48 different classes, groups and/or organizations from 6 different states attended at least one program.  The operations of the Facility are maintained solely by user fees, donations, local grants, and by our wonderful volunteers.  We are a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and are NOT subsidized by any local, state or federal government agency.

Moving Forward And What We Need

To maintain current operations and to continue the superior fire and EMS training in Wayne County, WCRTF has some truly urgent needs.  They are listed below in priority order:

         1.) Classroom Space

Currently, we have only two classrooms.  One is above the apparatus bays in the fire station and the other is in a mobile home on site. Lack of classroom space limits the number of activities and courses we can offer.  This is a serious impediment to much needed growth.  We have worked with a local contractor to determine likely costs of new construction.   Building a classroom facility with four classrooms, an auditorium, four offices, a computer lab, warming kitchen and restrooms with a new entrance into the facility will cost approximately $1,600,000.  Officially opened in September 2020, however we continue to work on obtaining a fire pump and pump house for the sprinkler system

            2.) Burn Building Replacement

Built in 1995 for $40,000, our current burn building was expected to last about ten years. To date, we have invested $75,000 in upgrades and building maintenance to prolong its useful lifespan, however these stop gap measures are no longer practical.  The existing burn building does not meet current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and will soon be beyond repair so that we will be unable to use it.  The Burn Building is the heart and soul of our operation at WCRTF and is a critical element that distinguishes our program from others in the State.  Without this building, we would have to send our Firefighters out of County at considerable additional expense.  “Live Fire Training” is a State of Ohio requirement to be a Firefighter.  A new, pre-engineered Burn Building, built to meet current NFPA standards, will cost approximately $500,000.  Officially opened in 2018

            3.) Driving Course

Emergency Vehicle Drivers Training is also a State requirement for Firefighter certification.  Currently, we must conduct this training off-site.  While we have plenty of space at our 60 acre facility, we do not have the required hard surface that is capable of bearing the weight of fire trucks and at least 300’ by 300’.  Estimated cost of the Driving Pad is $600,000.

Our Request And How You Can Help

We ask you to support our organization with a financial gift and/or through donated materials and labor.   As we continue to improve our educational capabilities, we must be able to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning with enough classroom space to hold our classes.  Currently, approximately 95% of all Firefighters in Wayne County receive their training from WCRTF.  You can help us continue to provide training, guidance and education to firefighters from Wayne and surrounding counties by making a gift to our CHIEF Campaign Fund at the Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio 44691. 

Investing in our facility is an investment in the firefighters and EMT’s who serve and protect the area where you live and work.  Your gift is important to the continuing health and safety of your community.

Below is a list of giving opportunities.  Thank you for considering this request, and please call me at (330) 466-7453 if you have questions or need more information.

Sincerely,

Dallas B. Terrell

Capital Campaign Chairman

 

WCRTF Capital Campaign Committee Members:

Audrey Beaverson, In Memorial,

Don Noble II, Bob Ballentine, Mark Del Propost, Dick Glessner, Nathan Murphy, Brandon Smith, Josh Martell, Erica Springer

 

 

CHIEF Campaign Giving Opportunities

All supporters of the Wayne County Regional Training Facility CHIEF (Community Helping Instructors Educate Firefighters) Campaign who donate $1,000 or more will be recognized on a sponsorship plaque inside the main entrance of the new educational Institute once the project is completed.  In addition, we are selling the name of each of the three projects.  The buyer of the name will have his/her name as requested on the front of the building and/or prop.  Names of individual rooms inside of the new Educational Institute will also be for sale.  Buyers of these rooms will also have their name on a plaque near the door to the entrance to the room.  All donors may remain anonymous if desired. 

 

Fire Commissioner Sponsorship  $150,000 +
Fire Chief Sponsorship               $100,000 – $149,999
Deputy Chief Sponsorship         $50,000 – $99,999
Assistant Chief Sponsorship      $25,000 – $49,999
Battalion Chief Sponsorship      $15,000 – $24,999
Captain Sponsorship                  $5,000 – $14,999
Lieutenant Sponsorship             $1,000 – $4,999
Firefighter Sponsorship             $500 – $999
Recruit Sponsorship                  $1 – $499
 
Name on Educational Institute           $800,000         ROGER N. AND BETTY LOU GEISER EDUCATION CENTER
Name on Burn Building                      $250,000         KIRILA BURN BUILDING
Name on Driving Course                    $300,000         (YOUR NAME HERE) DRIVING COURSE
 
Auditorium                 $250,000           THE MARIAN AND BEN ROMICH JR FOUNDATION AUDITORIUM
Classroom #1              $75,000           AKRON BRASS / IDEX FOUNDATION CLASSROOM
Classroom #2              $75,000           OOGEEP CLASSROOM
Classroom #3              $75,000           OOGEEP CLASSROOM
Classroom #4              $75,000           THE J.M. SMUCKER COMPANY CLASSROOM
Cafeteria                     $50,000           JACK AND DEB MILLER KITCHEN
Computer Lab             $50,000           THE DONALD AND ALICE NOBLE FOUNDATION COMPUTER LAB
Conference Room      $25,000           WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONFERENCE ROOM

 

If you would like to contribute to the success of this CHIEF Campaign for the Wayne County Fire and Rescue Association Regional Training Facility, please make a check payable to the Wayne County Community Foundation with CHIEF Campaign on the memo line, and mail it to the Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio 44691.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of these opportunities.  If you would like more information, please conact Dallas B. Terrell, Campaign Chairman, at (330) 466-7453.