Vacant building hosts Nampa Police and Fire Training
The vacant Saint Alphonsus Hospital on 12th Avenue in Nampa continues to give back to the community, even while not treating patients or housing doctors. The health system is allowing the Nampa Police and Fire Departments to utilize the facility for much-needed training exercises in a realistic setting.
“The 12th Avenue hospital had a legacy of service to the community, and had helped save countless thousands of lives over the years,” said Travis Leach, President of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa. “We’re so pleased that it can continue to serve, and potentially save more lives, by giving our first responders real-world training opportunities. Our Police and Firefighters are on the front lines in an emergency, and giving them the chance to practice in a realistic environment will enhance their abilities to save lives in an actual incident or emergency.”
During the training, Nampa Fire Department first responders have been practicing high-rise evolution using standpipe system, completing a multi patient rescue in a facility that uses shelter in place, practicing deploying long hose stretches in a building that has multiple rooms and multiple stories and practicing removing large amounts of smoke in a large structure with divided spaces. The Nampa Police Department has been responding to active shooter scenarios, room clearing, building searches, and responding to active and non-active threats, school shootings and SWAT-related tactics.
“Utilizing this building has allowed us to be able to train for real-world situations in a confined facility. Saint Alphonsus has provided an invaluable location for invaluable training. The size and magnitude of the building has allowed us to simulate a number of training scenarios without leaving the property or disrupting the public,” said Sgt. Jason Cantrell who has been leading the training exercises for the Nampa Police Department.
The Idaho National Guard’s 101st Civil Support Team conducted joint training exercises with the Nampa Police Department in July, simulating an unknown chemical agent response.
Nampa Fire Chief Kirk Carpenter shared, “The City of Nampa greatly appreciates Saint Alphonsus for allowing the Nampa Police and Fire Departments to use this facility for training purposes. It is very rare for first responders to have the opportunity to train in a large facility such as this one where we can conduct scenarios in an environment that is ‘Real World’ rather than simulated. This training will enhance the safety of our first responders, our ability to respond to life-threatening situations, and our service to the community.”
Nampa first responders began training in the 12th Avenue hospital earlier this summer and will conclude their exercises later this month.
The Saint Alphonsus Nampa Hospital Board and health system leadership unsuccessfully attempted to find a non-profit organization or government entity to either purchase the building or accept it as a donation. The decision was reached in June to demolish the unused hospital, which has been vacant since the opening of the Nampa Medical Center on Garrity Boulevard in 2017. Saint Alphonsus concluded selling the vacant land to repurpose for a future community asset is the best use of the site.
