Planning for a fire police training center for the city of Richmond, IN, began in 1996. Land was purchased between 1996 and 2004 during the administration of Richmond Fire Department (RPD) Chief Mike Allen and Assistant Chief Jerry Purcell. In 2014, under then-Chief Purcell, plans were conceived for a comprehensive training center and new main building. Designs for the facility were created, including consideration for future needs.
Debra Edelman attended the groundbreaking for the Israel “Izzy” David Edelman Fire Police Training Center, which bears the name of her son. She and local and state dignitaries each turned a ceremonial shovel of dirt.
Initially, a live burn prop (1,000 sq. ft.) and a flashover prop (320 sq. ft.) were purchased for the facility. Foundation and cement work for the props was completed by local contractors.
The next phase was the installation of a 100-ft. rope prop that was installed with a guide wire system, concrete base and pad. Additionally, a cement pad and fully adjustable roof ventilation prop were installed.
During the latest phase, which began in 2020, a design for a 10,500-sq.-ft. indoor classroom and physical fitness center was developed. This new building and the training facility (classroom and hands-on) was intended for use by both the fire department and the Richmond Police Department (RPD), but it’s available to other departments that are in the area, too.
The classroom could be divided in two via a hidden sliding wall.
The building contains office space for the fire and police departments and a 3,650-sq.-ft. multipurpose, open span area. The physical fitness center comprises 2,800-sq.-ft. indoor and 300-sq.-ft. outdoor areas.
A three-story, free-standing staircase that was installed on a concrete pad provides additional training and physical fitness purposes.
A large, black monument was installed by local businessperson John Meredith. On each side of the monument are flag poles. The front side of the monument has the name of the facility. On the side of the monument that faces the building are the Fallen Police and Firefighter Memorials, which contain the names of those who died in the line of duty, on each side of the Native American Chief Tecumseh Death Poem.
All of the work that was associated with the latest phase was completed by the end of Purcell’s nine-year assignment as chief.
The dedication
The training center was dedicated on Sept. 1, 2021. Speakers at the dedication included Mayor David Snow, Police Chief Mike Britt, Debra Edelman and Purcell. A combination police and fire department honor guard participated in the dedication.
Britt said, “The facility represents a unified RFD and RPD, which has not historically always been the case. The thoughtfulness and foresight of Chief Purcell has taken another step in the unity of fire and police personnel.”
The effect
Britt said that the training facility offers numerous advantages over the previous training center. “As an example, when we do [traffic] stops training and it’s bad weather, we can pull a car into the building and conduct the training inside,” he noted.
Debra Edelman, who has been an ardent supporter of the city’s police and fire departments, said the classroom and the training that will be conducted in it will help to save the lives of police officers and firefighters and that they “put Richmond on the map.”
Namesake for the training center
Israel David Edelman was the only son of Debra and Jack Edelman. He died in a fraternity house fire at Indiana University Bloomington in 1984. That was the year that Purcell was hired, and the loss struck him hard.
The decision to name the training center after Israel David Edelman emerged out of the changes that came about following his death. At the time of his death, fraternity houses weren’t held to fire safety standards for dormitories. Following his death, new fire safety laws that require fraternity houses to meet fire safety codes that are similar to those of dormitories were enacted.
Cost of construction
No tax dollars were used for the construction and installation of the facility. The initial phases were paid for from funds that were earned by the newly formed EMS Transport Division. The final phase was paid for by donations and emergency medical funds as follows: Debra Edelman (approximately $600,000); Wayne Township Trustee Susan Isaacs ($225,000); and John Meredith ($50,000). The balance was funded by EMS transport funds.
Future construction plans
Planned additions to the training center include a facility for live fire evolutions and an area for extinguishment of fuel fires with foam.
The RFD is talking with the state of Indiana to have state classes held at the facility.
At some point, more land is hoped to be obtained to build a dorm facility, so Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 and other classes can be held for personnel who are from outside of the area. Thanks to Purcell and current Fire Chief Tim Brown for providing information in the preparation of this article.
