Heartland Fire Breaks Ground for Regional Fire Training Center for East County

The Heartland Fire Training Authority (HFTA) had its official groundbreaking Wednesday for a regional fire training facility that will help serve the needs of multiple fire districts and allow firefighters to better serve residents in many unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

The facility is a project that is five years in the making and will be the first of its kind in the county. It will serve multiple agencies in a collaborative effort to consolidate functional training services and skills that today's firefighters need to be the best they can be.

"This facility is important because it will help keep our emergency responders safe," said Augie Ghio, fire chief for and HFTA president. "The training provided at the facility will help reduce property loss and will help firefighters be better prepared for major events."

The center will sit on 2.5 acres of land—donated by —above Campo Road near Rancho San Diego. It is a joint effort between HFTA, Otay Water District, and San Miguel Fire District.

When completed, the center will provide a full range of emergency services and public safety training venues, including fire rescue, emergency medical services, trench and confined space, hazardous materials, high-rise, classroom and mobile training, and more.

Funding for the proposed $6.5 million structure has been achieved for Phase I (of three phases) through grants, sponsorships and donations. As of now, more than $2.7 million has been committed to the project from various sources, including the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan and Viejas Bands of the Kumeyaay Nation, Otay Water District, SDG&E/Sempra Energy, Motorola, the American Red Cross, and the county of San Diego.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob was on hand for the groundbreaking and praised the public and private agencies involved for their collaboration.

"The center underscores the cooperation that exists in East County," said Jacob. "It is the backbone for better fire protection across the county."

She also discussed the efforts that the county has made to better serve fire agencies since the Cedar Fire of 2003, including the investment of more than $200 million into preparedness and the creation of the San Diego County Fire Authority in 2008, which oversees more than 1.5 million acres of unincorporated areas under one entity.

Ghio said that Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed by December or January. More than $3.8 million in additional monies will need to be raised for the completion of Phases 2 and 3.

Donors are asked to contact Leonard Villareal, public information officer for San Miguel Fire District, for more information on tax-deductible donations, 619-961-7628 or lvillarreal@smgfire.org.

The facility will also serve as a training ground for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Otay Water, SDG&E, and fire and emergency service agencies in Santee, Lakeside, Lemon Grove and El Cajon.