Public invited to ribbon-cutting for ‘state-of-the-art’ SPFD, MSTC training center
By Brandi Makuski
The Stevens Point Fire Department has invited the public to attend its ribbon-cutting ceremony for what they plan to build into the premier training hub for the region—and possibly, the state.
Fire Chief Robert Finn and Shelly Mondeik, president of Mid-State Technical College, jointly announced in February the two entities had entered into a partnership to develop the training site. Finn said the idea came up during a business breakfast meeting with Mondeik about four years ago.
Under the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), Mid-State will invest $25,000 annually over a period of 10 years for the phased development of a training facility on the SPFD’s training site, 3100 Whiting Ave., the former city pit.
SPFD acquired use of the property from the city in 2019 and has been using the site for training ever since. The lot is essentially bare, offering plenty of room for firefighters to study fire behavior and practice tactics, and using various tools to extinguish flames, as well as technical rescue.
The ribbon-cutting will be held Friday, Aug. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the training site. The event is free and open to the public. A rain location will be at the Mid-State Stevens Point campus, 1001 Centerpoint Dr.