In March of 1987, at the annual FDIC in Cincinnati, Ohio, a discussion was held concerning the need for local/regional training sites to make training more readily available to emergency service personnel.  This need was born from three main issues: distance from state operated facilities & their class schedules, current availability of local structures for training purposes and continuing state and federal unfunded mandates.  From this discussion, our local group decided to pursue the possibility of such a local training site.

From September of 1987 through May of 1990, land from the old Apple Creek Developmental Center in East Union Twp was located and determined that it would be possible to acquire this land through legislation.  “Senate Bill 200” passed in the Senate and then eventually passed in the House of Representatives in February of 1990.  In May, a Deed signed by Governor Celeste was delivered to the WCFRA.  The deed conveyed 56.23 acres of land together with four buildings.

On October 23, 1991, the first group of volunteers gathered at the new site for their first look and the initial clearing of brush and weed.  In April of 1992, two donated mobile homes were assembled by volunteers to construct our first training aid, the “Survival Maze”.  Construction of the “Burn Building” started in November of 1994 and was completed and used for the first time in September 1995.  In 1996, the station was remodeled to include an office, 2nd floor classroom and restrooms.  September of 1997 brought the start of construction for the “Mini-Mall” and was completed in May of 1998.  In October of 1998 a permanent location for a search and rescue mobile home was established.  In October of 1999 a 55 foot high “Drill Tower” was constructed with all volunteer labor.  The “Confined Space Training Area” was constructed in May 2001 with the majority of labor and materials being donated.

We have continued to add training aids to our facility such as the “Farm Rescue Area”, “Haz-Mat Area”, “Ventilation and Forcible Entry Building”, “Oil and Gas Props”, “Car Fire Prop”, and the “Trench Rescue Area”.  Additional training aids also include the “Pittsburg Drill”, “Denver Drill”, “Rochester Drill”, and other various RIT props.

We are thankful for the continuing support from the Beaverson Foundation and The Wayne County Community Foundation.  Other local trusts and area businesses continue to support our efforts.  We cannot overlook the thousands of hours of volunteer labor from emergency services, local contractors and the community.

WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL TRAINING FACILITY DIRECTORS

Jim Shriver ~ April 1988 – December 31, 2005

   Steve Waltman ~ January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2014

Dallas Terrell ~ January 1, 2015 – March 31, 2021

Erica Springer ~ April 1, 2021 – April 12, 2021 (RIP)

Dallas Terrell – April 13, 2022 – May 31, 2022

Danya Morris – June 1, 2021 – October 7, 2022

Dallas Terrell – October 8, 2022 – June 1, 2023

Nathan Murphy – June 1, 2023 – Present