A new fire training center in Vincennes took another step forward on Monday.
It was June of last year when it was announced that Vincennes and Knox County were set to receive a new state-of-the-art firefighter training facility as part of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Hub-and-Spoke training model. The Vincennes Fire Department and Vincennes Township Fire Department were selected to jointly receive the new facility. The expansion of centers aims to bring live fire training closer to firefighters across the state, eliminating so-called “training deserts.”
Monday night the Vincennes Board of Works received five bids for construction of the facility. The bids included five alternates for various parts of the building.
The bids were taken under advisement and will be reviewed by the city engineer’s office before being awarded.
The Vincennes Board of Works also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Interfact, who will install cameras at six railroad crossings across the city.
The cameras will monitor crossings at 2nd and 15th Streets as well as Main, Hart, St. Clair, and Washington Avenue. The cameras take pictures every minute, sending them to the city’s free app. When a train is stopped, motorists can check the app to see which crossings are open.
Each camera costs $1,000 to install and $500 a year to maintain. The $9,000 project is funded from the city’s existing budget.
Mayor Joe Yochum commented that the plan was first discussed a couple of years ago.
Officials say the system is already in use in Muncie and could help reduce traffic delays from long train stops.
