The Washington IN, area will be the site of one of five new fire department training sites to be built in Indiana to address what’s described as “training deserts” in the state.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb made the announcement this week in Wabash, Indiana at a dedication ceremony for a new training site there.

The Wabash facility is part of Phase 1 of the Hub and Spoke initiative to create centers to address what the governor says are gaps which are challenging and stretching Indiana’s fire service across the state.

Other Phase 1 sites include Linton, Corydon and Renssselaer which are expected to be fully operational this summer.

The Daviess County center is part of Phase 2 and will be located in Washington Township.

The other Phase 2 locations are Orange, Spencer, Rush and Blackford Counties.

The sites will include training towers equipment with live-burn capabilities.

Nearly $18 million was allocated in 2023 by the Indiana General Assembly for the centers’ construction.

It was the first time in history that  Indiana state government dedicated funding for firefighters.