March 28, 2024
Local News | The Times


Local News

Dwight prison to become fire training center

There's soon to be a new use for the vacant Dwight Correctional Center, formerly a women's state prison.

Back on Sept. 1, 2015, the Dwight Fire Protection District entered into a five-year renewable Agreement with the state to utilize several sections of the grounds for the purpose of conducting firefighter training.

According to a press release, there has been no facility available in Livingston County where fire and rescue personnel could receive realistic hands-on emergency response training. The land, props, equipment, and fire training buildings associated with a large training facility is extremely costly.

Dwight Fire Chief Paul Johnson and his administration began working on a plan back in February to give area firefighters the ability to participate in advanced firefighter training.

Over the past six months, the fire department also met with several fire academies throughout the state to begin work on setting up a training partnership that would benefit area firefighters by bringing quality fire and rescue training to the local area.

As a result of a new alliance, the Romeoville Fire Academy will establish a "south campus" based out of the Dwight Fire Protection District. Courses offered at the South Campus will meet all the requirements of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association and will be open to members of any fire department.

A large portion of the courses taught at the “South Campus" will be tailored to the typical volunteer firefighter's schedule and will be delivered in the evenings and on weekends. Dwight firefighters will be allowed to attend all courses for free, saving the district and its taxpayers a substantial amount of money.

Tuition costs for a single firefighter to attend a fire service related class can range between $300-$4,000 each. As part of the alliance agreement, Romeoville will provide the Dwight campus with a fire engine to use for training, training props and equipment, and profit-sharing from tuition received.

Classes at the new training center will begin in early 2016. The Dwight Fire Protection District will begin utilizing the training center immediately. In addition to the fire training that will be conducted at the facility, there are future plans for the Illinois State Police and units from the U.S. Army and National Guard to begin training at the site as well.