Major Progress at York County Training and Recovery Centers

Major Progress at York County Training and Recovery Centers

Jul 31, 2025

Construction is advancing on schedule at both the York County First Responder Training Center and the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center, two cornerstone projects meant to strengthen public safety and wellness infrastructure in York County. First County Foundation (FCF), the charitable arm of the York County Government, is fundraising for the project.

Since early 2023, York County Government has worked in close collaboration with Landry/French Construction, Oak Point Associates, Lassel Architects, and dozens of specialty subcontractors to ensure both projects remain aligned in vision, technical precision, and scheduling.

“The scope of these projects is significant,” said Michael Auclair, Assistant Project Manager at Landry/French. “It’s taken an extraordinary level of teamwork and expertise to keep both facilities moving forward together.”

The First Responder Training Center, a 57,000-square-foot multi-use complex, broke ground in October 2024 and is on track for completion in January 2026. The facility will provide fire, law enforcement, EMS, and dispatch personnel with state-of-the-art simulation, fitness, and classroom-based training. Key features include municipal offices, lecture spaces, VR-enabled simulators, a vehicle training bay, ADA-compliant locker rooms, and a multi-story burn tower for live fire exercises.

Construction at the Training Center has progressed smoothly, and all site utilities and base paving are complete, the burn tower foundations are set, and roofing is installed. Rooftop MEP equipment is being placed, and the rain screen siding system is underway. Inside, second-floor MEP systems, acoustic insulation, and drywall are finished, while first-floor installations continue. In the coming weeks, work will focus on finishing drywall, installing windows and storefronts, and preparing for the burn tower’s late July delivery.

Simultaneously, the 54,000-square-foot Treatment and Recovery Center—designed as a trauma-informed residential facility—began construction in April 2025 and is scheduled for completion by late summer 2026. The center will offer 58 beds for detox, long-term residential care, and outpatient services, with specialized wings and shared spaces for comprehensive support.

The Recovery Center has already completed site utilities, base paving, and foundation work. Underground MEP systems are installed and inspected, and vertical framing is underway with prefabricated wall panels. Next steps include completing wall panel installation, starting overhead MEP systems, and preparing for roofing and exterior envelope work.

Both projects have required innovative solutions to overcome winter construction challenges. “Managing winter conditions has tested our team’s adaptability,” said Auclair. “From heated enclosures and insulated blankets to flexible scheduling and enhanced safety protocols, Landry/French has kept the work on track and maintained our high standards for quality and safety.”

When complete, both buildings will be fully ADA-accessible, designed for future scalability, and serve as vital, long-term assets for York County’s public health and safety network.

About First County Foundation
Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

Contact Us
If you have any questions about FCF, please get in touch with Rachel Stansfield at 207.459.7055 or restansfield@yorkcountymaine.gov.

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First County Foundation’s Board Leadership Drives Community Solutions in York County

First County Foundation’s Board Leadership Drives Community Solutions in York County

Jul 10, 2025

First County Foundation’s (FCF) board of directors is setting a new standard for community leadership in York County, with members whose professional and personal commitments are shaping the region’s response to urgent needs.

“The strength of FCF’s governance lies in the lived experience and dedication of its members, who are deeply invested in the well-being of York County,” said Chief Advancement Officer Rachel Stansfield.

Among those board members is Diane Small, who also serves as executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority. Small’s decades-long commitment to housing and recovery services exemplifies the board’s impact. “Housing is the foundation for stability,” Small said. “All other supports—whether food, recovery, or employment—are built on the ability to have a safe place to live.”

Small’s career began at the Sanford General Assistance office. She later moved into the role of Chief Operating Officer of York County Shelter Programs, where she was part of a curated team assembled by York County Manager Greg Zinser that created Layman’s Way Recovery Center, a 24-bed facility for substance use treatment.

At Sanford Housing Authority, her leadership has led to the development of a new 30-unit recovery-supportive housing project, funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and supported by the City of Sanford and York County. The initiative provides no-barrier housing for individuals at any stage of substance use or recovery, with access to case management and supportive services.

“My parents taught me the importance of compassion and dignity,” said Small. “I saw how housing instability could disrupt families and impact children. This project is about giving people the opportunity to rebuild, regardless of where they are in their journey.”

The new housing initiative is closely connected to the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center in Alfred, which will offer a comprehensive range of care—from detoxification to long-term recovery—beginning in early 2026. The coordinated approach seeks to address service gaps and provide a direct pathway from crisis to stability.

“There is currently no clear pathway for people in York County to access detox and recovery without leaving their community,” Small said. “Our partnership with FCF and York County will allow individuals to transition directly from treatment into supportive housing, eliminating many of the barriers that have kept people from getting the help they need.”

While the York County Government will operate the Treatment and Recovery Center, FCF is its charitable arm. Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

In addition to the Treatment and Recovery Center, FCF is responsible for raising funds for the York County First Responder Training Center, set to open in late 2025.

“It’s terrific to have people like Diane on our board who understand the complex issues we are addressing,” said Stansfield. “Her insight and commitment ensure that our efforts are grounded in the real needs of York County residents.”

Click here to learn more about the Sanford Housing Authority’s project, part of a broader “Housing First” strategy.

About First County Foundation
Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

Contact Us
If you have any questions about FCF, please get in touch with Rachel Stansfield at 207.459.7055 or restansfield@yorkcountyfcf.org.

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A New Era for York County’s First Responders

A New Era for York County’s First Responders

Jul 2, 2025

For decades, the idea of a dedicated training center for York County’s first responders was little more than a hope passed down from one generation to the next. Roger Hooper, now York County’s Chief Fire Administrator, remembers hearing the old-timers in Goodwin Mills talk about what was needed—a place where firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers could train together, side by side. 

When Hooper took on his role with the county in 2019, he became the only county-level fire administrator in Maine. From his first days on the job, he saw the need for a facility that could bring all branches of public safety together. “It’s been on the back burner for years,” he recalls. “But when I learned we’d have access to $20 million to build a training center, I knew it was time to make this vision a reality.”

Exterior of First Responder Training Center

Hooper sketched out the initial design himself, envisioning a campus that would serve every aspect of emergency response. The concept quickly gained momentum. “All hazards—fire, EMS, dispatch, law enforcement—everyone jumped on the idea,” he says. County commissioners were convinced, and support from federal leaders soon followed. The timing was right: as the pandemic highlighted the urgent need for robust public safety infrastructure, funding became available, and York County seized the opportunity.

Construction is now underway, with the facility set to open its doors in January 2026. When complete, it will be one of the top five state-of-the-art training centers in New England—unmatched anywhere else in Maine. For the first time, departments that once trained in isolation will come together for higher-end, nationally recognized programs. “Right now, everything is separate,” Hooper explains. “This facility will offer a bigger bang—national programs, advanced simulations, and hands-on tactical training.”

The center’s impact will be felt far beyond the training grounds. York County’s first responders face daily challenges, from workforce shortages to the growing complexity of emergencies. Calls for service have skyrocketed, and the days of relying solely on volunteer firefighters are fading. “Most small towns are now putting on full-time staff,” Hooper notes. “We used to have 60 calls a year. Now, we have 60 calls a month.”

To address these challenges, the training center is partnering with the local community college to launch fire and EMT apprentice programs, tactical training, and even certificate and degree pathways for college credit. “If we provide quality training throughout their careers, the chance they will stay increases,” Hooper says. “This will improve the professionalism of first responders throughout the region.”

Interior of First Responder Training Center

Interior of First Responder Training Center

The facility will also house the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center, providing vital support for individuals who battle substance use disorder. “Having a treatment facility to partner with is huge,” Hooper emphasizes. “There will be programs and support for first responders as well.”

Inside, the center will feature cutting-edge technology: virtual reality equipment, simulation labs, a steel fire training tower, and even a pond for pump training. There will be spaces for hospital maternity scenarios—critical as more babies are delivered in ambulances due to rural hospital closures—and a jail cell for corrections training. Dispatchers, often overlooked, will finally have a place for scenario-based, integrated training alongside their field colleagues.

The excitement is palpable. “The general public has shown lots of interest,” Hooper says. “Everyone seems to see the need. When someone calls 911, they want someone competent to show up.”

For Hooper, the project is more than bricks and mortar. It’s the culmination of a vision shared by generations of York County’s first responders—a permanent investment in safety, readiness, and community. “This is something that will continue to benefit future generations,” he says. “It’s a testament to the county’s foresight and commitment to public safety.”

Something big is happening in York County. And it’s just the beginning.

About First County Foundation
Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

Contact Us
If you have any questions about FCF, please get in touch with Rachel Stansfield at 207.459.7055 or restansfield@yorkcountymaine.gov.

MAKE A DONATION
Training Center to Serve as Model for Public Safety Innovation and Collaboration

Training Center to Serve as Model for Public Safety Innovation and Collaboration

Jun 12, 2025

Opening early 2026, York County’s First Responder Training Center will set a new standard for how Maine prepares police, firefighters, EMS, and dispatchers.

“There’s nothing like it in Maine,” said York County Chief Fire Administrator Roger Hooper. “This facility will dramatically improve the competence and confidence of our first responders.”

Equipped with classrooms, a tactical simulation center, and specialized infrastructure, including a steel box for live fire training, the Training Center will also feature a dedicated canine training program—a first for Southern Maine.

“We’re going to have a canine course,” explained Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes of the York County Sheriff's Office. “Right now, there’s no place for canines in Southern Maine to train. This will fill a critical gap.”

Forbes said the Training Center will foster skill-building across disciplines. “I think we already do a great job as first responders, but this will increase our training, knowledge, and communication,” he explained. “It will help us learn from each other, stay updated, and work better together across departments.”

Wells Police Chief Kevin Chabot praised York County’s investment, describing it as “forward-thinking.” “We’re on the edge of the state line, and you don’t always see public safety prioritized like this,” he said. “York County identified a problem and acted on it—and that includes the Recovery Center, too.”

The York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center is scheduled to open in 2026. While First County Foundation (FCF), the charitable arm of the York County Government is fundraising for the project, both state-of-the-art and best-in-class facilities will be operated by the York County Government.

FCF also recently took over the operation of First County Food Pantry. Previously, the food pantry was managed by nonprofit York County Shelter Programs Inc.

“It’s an exciting time for us and the entire county of York,” noted Rachel Stansfield, FCF Chief Advancement Officer. “Our goal is not just to address emergent needs in York County, but to serve as a community hub for intra-agency collaboration.”

The focus now, however, is on completing the Training Center. “Every week, every day, more progress is made,” said Stansfield. “We appreciate Landry/French Construction and the work and care they are putting into this project.”

About First County Foundation
Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

Contact Us
If you have any questions about FCF, please get in touch with Rachel Stansfield at 207.459.7055 or restansfield@yorkcountymaine.gov.

MAKE A DONATION
Something Big is Happening

Something Big is Happening

Jun 3, 2025

For Billy Shore, Board Chair of First County Foundation (FCF), the future of York County First Responder Training Center and York County Substance Use Recovery Center is “very exciting.”

“Both centers have the potential to be models for the state, if not the region or nation,” he said. “I think they’ll be tremendous assets to the community.”

The Training Center is scheduled to open by the end of 2025 while the First Responder Training Center will open in spring 2026.

Founder Executive Chairman of Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit in Washington D.C., Shore believes his experience running an organization that deals with childhood hunger translates well to FCF’s mission, especially with the recent acquisition of the First County Food Pantry.

“My focus is fundraising and revenue generation,” he said. “There hasn’t been a lot of asking going on yet, as the board is in its formative stage, but we are entering the asking stage.”

For now, however, Shore is focused on connecting with the community to build a robust constituency. “Certainly, in terms of substance use, almost everybody has been touched in some way,” he added. “Not everyone knows the facilities are under construction, but people are starting to catch on that something big is happening in their community.”

About First County Foundation
Founded in 2023, FCF is charged with a mission “to support and strengthen safe and healthy communities by resourcing transformational solutions to the emergent needs of York County.”

Contact Us
If you have any questions about FCF, please get in touch with Rachel Stansfield at 207.459.7055 or restansfield@yorkcountymaine.gov.

MAKE A DONATION