Benefit military and law enforcement
Members of Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office were joined by several County Commissioners and state dignitaries for the ribbon cutting of the new training facility on the West Plains.
SPOKANE COUNTY – A first of its kind partnership in the nation that has been years in the making has finally been completed, and over 100 people gathered for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new facility on the West Plains.
The resulting law enforcement and military training facility was built as a joint effort between the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and Fairchild Air Force Base.
Spokane County officials say the cost of building the center was about $41 million, $26 million from the county and $15 million from the Air Force, mostly for the small arms firing range.
Construction of this first-of-its-kind facility began in April 2022.
The vision to start a multi-use training facility was birthed in 2007.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels took a moment to thank the people who have put in "countless hours" to bring this facility into reality.
"It is my honor to be here in front of you talking about the culmination of thousands, if not tens of thousands of man hours," Nowels said. "In getting all of these groups to work together towards a common goal and common vision."
Nowels said that men and women of both the armed forces and police services need excellent training, and this facility will fulfill those needs.
"This building signifies and symbolizes this community's and our elected officials' commitment to excellence in policing," Nowels said. "And excellence in supporting the police and armed forces who keep us safe."
From there Nowels introduced former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, and presented him with The Sheriff's Star Award for his services.
Knezovich said he first got involved when this project was just a dream in 2007, and was told "it would never happen." He also said that his example of leadership means people build things to make the future a better place.
"Leadership is truly about vision, a dream, a dream for a better future," Knezovich said. "A dream for a better way of doing things, and along with that comes a whole lot of passion."
According to Knezovich, the new facility is a house of public trust, because it's the training that is implemented will help build public trust.
Deputies from Spokane Valley will be using the facility as well and according to the Spokane Valley Police Chief, it will be of great benefit to those officers as well.
"After years of meetings and discussions with local elected officials, regional law enforcement, Fairchild Air Force Base, and the contractors," said Project Manager and Spokane Valley Police Chief David Ellis. "It's gratifying to see how well everyone, and everything came together to create a facility that will benefit the entire region."
There is a 21-lane indoor small arms range, and a tactical shoot house so SWAT Team members have on site training also.
Other emergency services will also benefit, as there is a 50-foot helicopter tower on the property to help responders train with rescue lifts.
A rappel tower is also stationed on the tower to help officers, airmen and responders become trained in both rappelling and climbing in emergency situations.
A K-9 room was built where dogs can be washed and participate in some indoor training. There is also a training yard the dogs will work in.
The simulation room will also allow for deputies and airmen to train with technology-based applications.
Fairchild benefits because airmen are able to become better trained and "mission ready" should they need to be dispatched.
Air Force Lead for Partnerships, ToniAnn Fisher from the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, said the military is looking to create and strengthen more partnerships.
"We cannot do what we do within the fence line without the support of communities outside," Fisher said. "80 percent of our airmen and their families live off base in the communities."
"This partnership is indicative of Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane County as true mission partners. It stands as a testament of the strong bonds between the base and the local community."
Current Installation Commander of Fairchild, Col. Chesley Dycus, said the partnership is more powerful than many of the tools available to the base.
"I look behind us and I see a symbol of partnership," Dycus said. "A partnership that is more powerful than the tools provided to our airmen or our law enforcement professionals."
"I don't think it's a surprise that the community, not necessarily the base, but the community has won several awards for this partnership and innovation."
Dycus said he thinks this will change the way the Air Force and Department of Defense works on projects in the future.
State Senator Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) also spoke about the quality of the facility, saying there is nothing better in terms of training. He also said the project was desperately needed because of the law enforcement numbers in Washington.
"We in this state have the least amount of law enforcement officials per capita of any state in the country," Padden said. "And we have a backlog of law enforcement wanting training, so this is going to help tremendously."
Padden said with this new facility and ongoing training, the state will be able to train up to 900 more officers per year.
Monica Alexander, Executive Director of Washington State Criminal Justice Training further elaborated on Senator Padden's comments.
Alexander said former sheriff Knezovich came to her to help rethink the state criminal justice curriculum, and that helped them develop a framework for the training seen in the new facility.
"By the beginning of next year, we will have certified curriculum," Alexander said. "That is huge because everything that our law enforcement officers do is all around what thy learn at the ground level and then they continue to build on that."
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
Reader Comments(0)