Wabash among the Hub-and-Spoke training sites training the state's firefighters

Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced the completion of the Hub-and-Spoke Training sites.

“This is a great accomplishment for our state, especially our first responders,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “We saw a gap, and we filled it. Now, firefighters are able to be trained within 30 miles of their community. This reduces their travel time, the wear and tear on their engines and allows for greater access to ensure our rural communities have what they need to serve Hoosiers.”

In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly approved $17.7 million for fire training and equipment for the first time for firefighters. This was done to address the shortfalls in many rural communities, most staffed by volunteers, who find it difficult to travel to training sites. Additionally, the level of trainings may vary at sites not operated by Indiana's Fire and Public Safety Academy.

Of the $17.7 million, the state invested $7.7 million in new training sites. The goal was to provide high-quality, physical training structures within 30 miles, or 45 minutes, of all career and volunteer departments. Fourteen new training sites were added across the state including Wabash.

The remaining $10 million was invested in new personal protective equipment (PPE) issued to volunteer fire departments across the state.

“The Hub-and-Spoke program has been crucial to improving training for firefighters across the state,” said State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. “No matter where they live, firefighters now have access to basic training equipment to do their job to and return home safely at the end of a run."

These new training sites, shown above, are locally owned and maintained, and the state is supported 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.

All sites are outfitted with equipment packages that include structures and props, allowing firefighters to experience live fire behavior at industry-standard levels.