Story by Crystal Farris February 14, 2023 at 12:18PM In 2022, the Idaho National Guard’s Orchard Fire & Emergency Services received a federally funded equipment push to modernize its capabilities and moved into a newly renovated fire station. The updates came in time to prepare the department as the Idaho National Guard’s Orchard Combat Training Center expanded from approximately 143,000 acres to more than 170,000 acres late last year. Located in the OCTC, the Orchard Fire & Emergency Services protects the center’s vast terrain, it’s surrounding infrastructure and service members training in the area. It also protects local communities by aiding motorist and civil authorities during emergencies. “The Orchard Fire & Emergency Services has been a great benefit to both the Idaho National Guard and Idahoans in the surrounding communities,” said Lt. Col Eric Sharp, OCTC director. “As the OCTC’s infrastructure and number of Soldiers training has grown rapidly over the past two decades, it was necessary to establish the department and later expand it to protect these critical assets.”
