MANHATTAN – Kansas State University (K-State) and the Kansas Forest Service (KFS) are teaming up to create a state-of-the-art $5 million training facility for the state’s firefighters.

Pat Melgares of K-State shared on Tuesday, March 18, that construction on the Kansas Rural Fire and Workforce Development Center is set to begin this year. The new facility will be designed to enhance both firefighter training and the availability of essential equipment for Kansas’ fire service personnel.

The 13,200-square-foot facility will include a modernized shop to house fire equipment, a dedicated teaching lab for emergency response training, and a multi-purpose classroom for workforce development programs. It will be a shared resource for both K-State’s Department of Communications and Agricultural Education and the Kansas Forest Service.

“This new facility will allow us to support our key stakeholders in the state by providing high-demand education, professional development, and resources,” said Jason Ellis, head of K-State’s Department of Communications and Agricultural Education.

The new training center will be located at 2610 Claflin Road, Manhattan, on the same grounds as the Kansas Forest Service’s state office. The construction is made possible in part by a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), helping ensure Kansas firefighters have the best possible resources for both training and ongoing development.

The facility will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for skilled and well-trained first responders across the state. It will also serve as a space for continuing education on a variety of emergency response topics.

With the development of this facility, Kansas State University and the Kansas Forest Service aim to ensure that Kansas firefighters are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and tools to respond effectively to emergencies.

The new center will significantly enhance training opportunities and promote professional development for firefighters across the region, building a safer and more prepared community.

Originally reported by Matthew Self in KSNT.