Upper Valley EMS trainings Wednesday along US-20 thanks to agreement with ITD

ASHTON-An agreement between the Idaho Transportation Department and Upper Valley Special Response Team is now enabling state-owned properties along U.S. Highway 20 to be used for emergency services training.

On Wednesday, March 11, the team, which includes emergency responders from Fremont, Madison and Teton counties, is hosting the first of such trainings near Ashton.

ITD has acquired properties located along US-20 between Chester and Ashton where design plans for a four-lane divided highway are underway. These purchases during early stages of a project are possible with willing sellers, surety of design placement and the concurrence of the Federal Highway Administration.

Wednesday's event will include all three counties of the Upper Valley Special Response Team. Drivers on US-20 can expect to see law enforcement and emergency response vehicles around the property, located just south of Tri-State Tire. The team will be able to use multiple properties between Chester and Ashton for different training purposes each month until they are demolished. Roadway construction is currently anticipated for 2031.

"This opportunity for us is huge," Fremont County Sargent Colter Cannon, who leads one of the Upper Valley SRT's three teams, said. "We've formerly had to train in schools, but being able to work in actual houses and different layouts with all of our gear will help the team so much in the long run."

For more information about ITD's plans for US-20 between Chester and Ashton, visit itd.idaho.gov/project/us-20-chester-to-ashton/.