York County Community College President Michael Fischer, center, and York County Commission Chair Allen Sicard of Saco, right, ink a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the collaboration between the county and the college for the new first responder training center, as YCCC Dean of Economic & Workforce Development Cait Grant looks on. Tammy Wells Photo
WELLS — As communities continue to struggle to fill first responder positions, the County of York and York County Community College have formally pledged to collaborate to provide first responder and public safety workforce development that they say will make an impact on all 29 of the county’s municipalities.
The entities already collaborate on some programming, but that is poised to expand as York County government moves forward with a new first responder training center in Alfred.
On Friday Nov. 18, YCCC and York County signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines that they will work together to develop plans and programs to meet the need for additional firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, corrections officers, and other emergency personnel county-wide.
“This project will truly serve the county,” said York County Community College President Michael Fischer. “Next year is our 25th year and I can’t think of a better project to kick it off.”
York County Commission Chair Allen Sicard pointed out that early in the pandemic, York County Emergency Management Agency helped outfit municipalities with personal protection equipment.
YCCC Dean of Economic & Workforce Development Cait Grant, YCCC President Michael Fischer, York County Commission Chair Allen Sicard, County Manager Greg Zinser and County Fire Administrator Roger Hooper mark the signing of an agreement between the county and the community college that outlines the collaboration on a new county-wide first responder training center. Tammy Wells Photo
“This takes it to another level,” he said, estimating the cost to build the first responder training center will cost about $15 million to $16 million of the county’s $40 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation from the federal government.
York County Manager Greg Zinser said the collaboration will result in training programs to fill critical current workforce needs — and do so close to home.
The MOU outlines that the entities will work together to establish the training center, share curriculum, instructors, supervision, facilities, and marketing, among other items.
York County Fire Administrator Roger Hooper said the collaboration began several years ago and noted the college’s late president, Barbara Finkelstein, had a vision to provide first responder training.
Hooper said the challenges municipalities are experiencing in recruiting and retaining first responders has heightened over time.
“Our relationship with York County Community College will allow us to improve the quality of life … and provide first responders with the job,” Hooper said. “This is momentous.”
Copy the Story LinkComments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
