KCFR unveils training center
Photo courtesy of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Kootenai County Fire and Rescue has opened the Joe Doellefeld Training Center on Seltice Way in Post Falls. Those attending an open house included, from left, Commissioner Andy Boyle, Commissioner Pam Houser, Commissioner/Vice President Michael Hunt, Commissioner/President Paul Wagner, Commissioner/Treasurer Joe Doellefeld, Fire Chief Warren Merritt, Deputy Chief Dan Ryan and Division Chief Jessie Morrow.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Kootenai County Fire and Rescue has opened a new $1.2 million training center that's been envisioned for several years.
The agency that serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Wolf Lodge, Huetter and Stateline recently finished the 14,000-square-foot Joe Doellefeld Training Center next to its training tower on Seltice Way in Post Falls.
Chief Warren Merritt said the types of response that the fire service is called upon has changed over the years, but training and preparation hasn't.
"That is what this is about," he said. "This will allow us to provide space for outside speakers, have leadership training, bring in other members of law enforcement and the fire service and have space in case of disasters."
The center, which is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is a remodel of a former warehouse. It has two classrooms, a multi-purpose room and a conference room.
Merritt said KCFR commissioner meetings will be held at the center, which will also serve as a command post in case of emergencies.
Merritt said KCFR previously used a "rustic" training room in the warehouse. Each fire station also has training spaces, but those are small rooms.
Doellefeld has been a KCFR board member since 2002, making him the longest-standing current member. He has also served on several community boards.
"Joe has spent a lot of time and energy on this," Merritt said. "He's been a driving force behind it. The recognition is well-deserved."
Merritt said the only other facility in the area that resembles the training center is in Spokane.
KCFR has saved for the project within its existing budget for the past several years, so it wasn't funded through a voter-approved measure.
"The district has been saving for it here and there and was able to use existing dollars to fund it," Merritt said.
Merritt said that, while training KCFR employees will be the primary focus of the center, it can be utilized by other response agencies in the area.
The first major event planned for the center is a leadership training provided by the North Idaho Fire Chiefs Association on Nov. 3.
Merritt said Idaho Department of Water Resources will utilize the well on the site to monitor the aquifer, the region's drinking water source below.