forIndiana Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $100,000 grant to the South Bend Fire Department to help fund construction of a fire training center that will benefit the local fire
department and those in surrounding counties.

The grant also will benefit surrounding counties, including Elkhart, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Pulaski and Fulton counties.

View News Release with training site renderings

"We are seeking the most effective, efficient and economical approach to fire training," said J. Eric Dietz, executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. "Projects like
South Bend's are a common sense approach for firefighters to have access to training capabilities to fulfill their training mission. We are proud of the local cooperation and leadership in developing the training center."

According to the grant application, the five-story training center will be built immediately west of the South Bend Regional Airport on more than 50 acres of airport property. It will be used to provide training in a controlled environment, which replicates actual conditions.

Contact: John Erickson, IDHS Public Information Officer, 317.234.4214, jerickson@dhs.in.gov