RICHMOND, Ind. — By next summer, Richmond Fire Department expects to have a finished education and fitness building at its training ground.
The training ground will be dedicated May 29 to Israel Edelman.
The crew from American Fire Training Systems in Lockport, Illinois, bring a trailer full of equipment and tools.
The American Fire Training Systems crew pulls a trailer filled with equipment, tools and supplies.
A crane was needed to set training boxes in place for the confined-space training prop at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A crane was needed to lift the boxes for the confined-space training prop into place on a cement pad.
One of the boxes for the confined-space training prop is lifted into place Tuesday at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A crane swings one of the boxes for the confined-space training prop into place at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Barry Thacker of Maxim Crane Works near Cincinnati works the crane as it lifts a box into place at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
One box stands ready for pipe installation to create a confined-space training prop at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Stan Mauzr of American Fire Training Systems guides a box into place at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Stan Mauzr signals to crane operator Barry Thacker as a box is placed Tuesday at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A crane moves a box into place for the confined-space training prop at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Michael Wolfer of American Fire Training Systems checks the position of a box for the confined-space training prop at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A crane finished placing a box for the confined-space training prop.
Tire tracks lead back toward the area where new training props are being installed at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A box for the confined-space training prop sits on a Pardo’s flatbed trailer waiting to be placed.
An adjustable roof and wall breach prop has been installed at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A crew from American Fire Training Systems worked to expand the offerings at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
A box for the confined-space training prop is placed Tuesday at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Michael Wolfer of American Fire Training Systems helps place a box for the confined-space training prop.
Michael Wolfer of American Fire Training Systems disconnects the crane straps from a training box.
Michael Wolfer works with the crane after a training box has been placed at RIchmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Michael Wolfer connects crane straps to a box that needs to be hoisted into place at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Michael Wolfer connects straps to a box that needs hoisted into place at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Michael Wolfer hooks a strap to a box as he prepares it to be hoisted onto a concrete slab at the Richmond Fire Department training ground.
A crane lifts a training box from a Pardo’s flatbed trailer Tuesday at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Stan Mauzr of American Fire Training Systems watches as a training prop box is lifted from a flatbed trailer onto a concrete pad.
Barry Thacker operates the crane while Michael Wolfer and Stan Mauzr help guide a training box to a concrete slab.
A crane swings a box from a flatbed trailer onto a concrete slab.
A third box is placed on a concrete slab to create a confined-space training prop.
Stan Mauzr and Michael Wolfer guide a training box to a concrete slab.
Michael Wolfer guides a training box onto a concrete slab at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Three boxes connected by pipe will form a confined-space training prop for Richmond Fire Department.
Barry Thacker of Maxim Crane Works prepares to move his crane to finish placing boxes for a training prop.
Barry Thacker of Maxim Crane Works prepares his crane to move Tuesday at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
Pardo’s personnel pull their flatbed trailer out of the mud at Richmond Fire Department’s training ground.
36/36 SLIDES
Ground will be broken at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, for the 10,500-square-foot facility at the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Ground, 1740 S. Eighth St. It’s the third phase of the training ground’s development.
RFD already has added state-of-the-art training props to provide hands-on experience for fire fighting and specialty disciplines within the fire service. With the entire $1.4 million cost funded, the new building, which will be built by Brumbaugh Construction, will become reality.
“They will be starting construction next week; they’re ready to go,” Chief Jerry Purcell said of Brumbaugh. “The hope is to get it under roof before the snow flies, so they can work inside.”
The building will include 4,007 square feet for physical agility training, including a testing area to provide required testing for job candidates and annual assessments of emergency responders.
Classroom and office space for education and continuing education will utilize 3,693 square feet inside the building.
A physical fitness training area that includes post-incident detox saunas takes up 2,800 square feet. The detox saunas enable firefighters to sweat out carcinogenic toxins their skin absorbs when fighting a fire.
The combination of training props and the new building provide RFD, which opens the facility to other agencies, with one of the top facilities in the state, Purcell said. RFD is working to become a training site for its state district and, hopefully, a satellite site for state training of new firefighters. Right now, RFD sends its new members to Ohio for training.
“To have that capability throughout the year and have other departments come to our city would be a blessing all the way around,” Purcell said.
The training ground off North Eighth Street was officially dedicated Wednesday to Israel “Izzy” David Edelman.
Richmond Fire Department’s Honor Guard presents the colors to begin Wednesday’s dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Richmond Fire Department’s Honor Guard presents the colors to begin Wednesday’s dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Richmond Fire Department’s Honor Guard marches after presenting the colors to begin Wednesday’s dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
More than 100 people attended Wednesday’s dedication program and ribbon cutting for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Deputy Chief Chris O’Neil served as master of ceremonies for Wednesday’s dedication program.
Rabbi Julie S. Schwartz spoke Wednesday. She said she heard a colleague talking about having to miss a dedication in Richmond for Israel “Izzy” Edelman and volunteered as the replacement because as a student rabbi in 1984 for Richmond’s Temple Beth Boruk she was sent to tell the Edelman family that Izzy Edelman had died in a fire.
More than 100 invited guests attended Wednesday’s dedication program.
Mayor Dave Snow read a proclamation and offered a few words Wednesday during the dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Mayor Dave Snow read a proclamation and offered a few words Wednesday during the dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
RFD’s Tom Broyles holds a tent post against the wind Wednesday.
Debra Edelman sits between Mayor Dave Snow and Rabbi Julie S. Schwartz during Wednesday’s dedication program.
Debra Edelman speaks during Wednesday’s program and ribbon cutting to dedicate the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Debra Edelman looks at a proclamation presented her by Mayor Dave Snow.
Chief Tim Smith, president of the Indiana Fire Chief’s Association, speaks during Wednesday’s dedication program.
Chief Jerry Purcell asked retired RFD members to stand during his presentation Wednesday.
Melissa Vance, president and CEO of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks during Wednesday’s dedication program.
Mayor Dave Snow (from left), Debra Edelman, Chief Jerry Purcell and Melissa Vance prepare for the ribbon cutting for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Debra Edelman cuts a ceremonial ribbon Wednesday for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Debra Edelman smiles after performing a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center. She was joined by Mayor Dave Snow, Chief Jerry Purcell and Melissa Vance of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting.
Debra Edelman speaks with Chief Jerry Purcell and Rabbi Julie S. Schwartz after Wednesday’s dedication program.
RFD Lt. Kyle George speaks with Debra Edelman following Wednesday’s ribbon cutting and dedication program for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
The confined-spaces training prop was installed this month by American Fire Training Systems of Lockport, Illinois.
The confined-spaces training prop was installed this month by American Fire Training Systems of Lockport, Illinois.
An architect’s drawing of a planned 16,000-square-foot building for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
A plan of the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center shows how a planned 16,000-square-foot building would fit into the center.
An architect’s drawing shows the inside of a 16,000-square-foot building planned for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire and Police Training Center.
Richmond Fire Department and other vehicles line South Eighth Street as attendees arrive for Wednesday’s dedication program.
28/28 SLIDES
The department committed $750,000 from its EMS fund to the project and received donations to cover the other $664,000 needed, which includes furnishings and equipment.
“We have great donors,” Purcell said.
Debra Edelman is one of the contributors. The training ground was dedicated in May 2019 to her son, Israel “Izzy” David Edelman, a Richmond native who died in an Oct. 21, 1984, fraternity house fire at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Wayne Township, through Trustee Susan Isaacs, and Bruce Upchurch, the owner of B&F Plastics, also helped finance the project.
RFD scaled back the original 16,000-square-foot plans late last year after anticipated costs climbed to about $1.8 million.
Memorial Service
Richmond Fire Department will conduct its annual Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Friday at Fire Station 1, 101 S. Fifth St.
Each year’s service honors the four RFD members who have died in the line of duty: William M. Kenney, Oct. 23, 1924; Chief Edgar Miller, Feb. 11, 1931; Earl Miller, Nov. 19, 1943; and Lawrence Ghearing, March 19, 1948. They are commemorated on the Firefighters Memorial at Fire Station 1.