“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.”