York County Regional Training Center Director Roger Hooper points to features of the decontamination unit to U.S. Sen. Angus King during a tour last week. Photo: Tammy Wells
By Tammy Wells, York County Government media
U.S. Sen. Angus King stopped by the York County Regional Training Center Wednesday, May 27, for a tour, to see firsthand the facility York County government built largely with federal and county funds and grants.
He liked what he saw.
“This is the heart of public service training,” King, an independent, said of the new facility that is unique in Maine – a place where police, firefighters, EMS, corrections staff and dispatchers can get the training they need to begin a career or continue the career they’re already engaged in by keeping up with certifications.
There has been a shortage of public safety personnel across the country for the last several years, but that is changing as more people are able to be trained. Some who use the center are looking at a new career, and others are working full-time already and can now get their ongoing training closer to home.
Currently, an EMT class is about to graduate from a 240-hour, 16-week York County Community College program at the RTC. All 16 class members are employed.
Another YCCC program, criminal justice, will move a cohort from the Wells campus to the RTC in Alfred for the fall semester, said Cait Grant, YCCC’s vice president of economic and educational development.
On the day of Sen. King’s visit, Maine State Police were using the RTC drill hall to provide training on how to extract an uncooperative arrestee from a cruiser.
It is the kind of regional approach that tends to go on at the facility, which opened in early January. York County Manager Greg Zinser said some other state agencies have expressed interest. And he pointed out that the RTC can provide training for others as well, like federal emergency management programs. RTC Director Roger Hooper said while York County first responders have first priority, the center accepts students from other regions of Maine and New Hampshire.
He showed the senator various training aids, including virtual reality programs.
“This is miles ahead of conventional learning,” King said. He noted that there are no similar training facilities elsewhere in Maine or in much of New England.
According to King’s staff, $3.6 million in Congressionally Designated Spending was provided to the RTC in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, $1.98 million in CDS has been provided for the nearby York County Recovery Center, currently under construction.
King voiced his approval. “This is one of the most important facilities in the state of Maine right now,” he said.
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