The Clay County Kansas Emergency Services Academy began early in 2002 when Clay County government allowed the use of the old County Highway Department Building by Emergency Service agencies in Clay County for training purposes. The building had been used as the Highway Department shop and garage for over 60 years and was in severe need of clean up, repair and remodeling before it could be utilized for classroom and training purposes.

Because of the severe budget constraints rural Kansas counties are experiencing, we were informed that the County could not budget necessary remodeling and repair expenses to make the academy possible. The only allowable budget would fund utilities and maintenance of the building once it was completed. The volunteer emergency service organizations did not have the budgetary ability to undertake this project.

Volunteers from many of the area’s emergency departments began clean up work and explored grant options and other funding sources in an effort to make the dream of a centralized training facility a reality. We envision a facility where all emergency departments can gather to train, both as separate departments and as mutual aid partners in Clay County and the surrounding areas.

Grant applications were denied by outside funding agencies because the project involved “Capital Improvement” expenses. When it appeared that the project could not be completed, we received word that Mr. Marvin H. Spreer had passed away and left a limited amount of funding to our project.

With the help and generosity of many of the businesses in Clay Center, Clay County, and the surrounding area, the clean up and remodeling of the classroom areas of the facility is nearing completion.

The building clean up and remodeling has been done by volunteers from the following emergency response agencies in Clay County:

Clay County Sheriff’s Department
Clay County Rescue Squad
Clay Center City Fire Department
Green Rural Fire Department
Clay County Emergency Medical Services
Clay County Emergency Management
City of Clay Center Police Department
City of Clifton Fire and Rescue
Clifton Emergency Medical Services

Working together, with donated time and materials, these volunteers have nearly completed two large classrooms that have adequate space to hold needed multi-agency training programs as well as meetings and gatherings of emergency responders from the surrounding area. “Hands-on” practice areas for rope rescue, confined space rescue, fire suppression training, and hands-on EMS training are also being developed.

Departments have begun to hold classes in the classrooms and needs for audio-visual and computer equipment have been identified. We have also identified needs in the “hands-on” training areas of the building that include more adequate lighting and heating as well as general clean up and repair work. There are repairs and improvements that are needed to the exterior of the facility as well. Unfortunately, our funding is exhausted and our local partners have donated all they can afford to give to the project.

We believe that our project will become an asset to the entire community. We have already hosted several training sessions and meetings that have drawn people from other areas into our community. The motels, restaurants and other area businesses have already seen benefit from the establishment of the Clay County Emergency Services Academy and will continue to do so.