York County breaks ground on Recovery Center and First Responders Training Center

The weather was cloudy and dreary, but it didn’t put a damper on the spirits of public safety and county officials who gathered Thursday morning at Layman Way in Alfred   for a ground-breaking ceremony for York County government’s Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center and the First Responders Training Center.

“This is a great day,” said York County Fire Administrator Rod Hooper. “We’re breaking ground on two facilities that are going to have a great impact on our community.”

Much of the funding for the two projects came from York County government’s allocation from the federal American Recovery Plan Act, along with congressionally directed funding and money from grants and other sources, according to a press release from York County government.

Discussions for the new facilities began in about 2016, and when the county was awarded American Recover Plan Act funding, it wanted to use it to fund investment that would have generational impact, said York County Manager Greg Zinser.

“Both of these projects will be focusing on investing in people,” he said.

Construction is expected to be completed in 18 -24 months, said Tammy Wells, media specialist for York County Government.

Hooper said a first responders training center in York County has been a dream for many years.

“It’s finally going to happen and it’s finally coming to fruition, but I think we’re taking this project one better. We’re going to build a facility for all first responders in all hazards,” he said.

The facility will be used to train “the whole gamut of safety operations,” said Hooper, including  firefighters, police officers, emergency managers, corrections officers, dispatchers, harbor masters and HazMat technicians.

The facility will be the first of its kind in Maine and will result in first responders who are more competent and better trained to serve their communities, said Hooper. The county will partner with York County Community College as well as departments and institutions from across the state and county, he said.

“It was a dream, and now it’s here. It’s unbelievable,” said York County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Forbes.

York County Sherif Bill King said municipalities often have to send first responders to other areas, sometimes up to 100 miles away, for training. This takes time out of people’s busy days, and makes it challenging for volunteer first responders to schedule training.

Kennebunk Police Chief Bob McKenzie talked about, in law enforcement, how important human interaction was when dealing with people with substance abuse and how important it was to talk with people and hear their stories.

He said York County has a lack of services to help people with substance abuse issues, and the recovery center will be a huge step forward.

“This will make a difference. This will save lives, I am certain of that,” he said.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.