A place to learn with your mind and your hands
Responder Training Enterprises (RTE) provides premier emergency response training and equipment designed to enhance responder/employee safety and efficiency. Ron started out in the mid 1980’s with a specific focus on Propane incidents, offering a unique blend of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience. Since then, the available class offerings (through partnerships) and response equipment options have grown. The new facility, known as ” #TheShop ” has grown into an internationally known supplier of response equipment and shared knowledge.
Owner & Expertise
The owner and lead instructor, Ron Huffman, brings a wealth of practical, real-world knowledge to every training session he conducts. His qualifications and experience are extensive:
- Over 38 years of experience in the fire service, which he joined in the mid-1980s.
- 14 years of hands-on experience in the propane industry, including building and servicing propane trucks and working with diverse propane systems.
- An NCFD retiree and recognized expert in Hazmat calls involving propane.
This unparalleled combination of fire response and industry experience ensures that all training is grounded in practical, applicable knowledge for today’s emergency incidents.
Shop Features & Capabilities
“The Shop” is a new (2024) specialized 8200 square foot facility (between upper and lower levels) that supports both training and equipment production. The Shop has been built to provide comfortable seating with tables and chairs for 25 students, it has multiple monitors, plus the shop bay and outside areas provide options for equipment manipulation and testing. Pressure options include air, nitrogen and LPG.
- On-Site Training: The facility hosts comprehensive courses, including the “Propane Response, 101 to Advanced Tactics”. Students engage in classroom instruction using display props and participate in liquid emergency response evolutions with water, offering a realistic, hands-on learning environment.
- Production Capabilities: RTE designs and builds a wide range of high-quality, heavy-duty equipment used by both emergency responders, recycling facilities and the propane industry. Notable products include:
- The “RESPONDER Flare” system, an industrial-grade flaring system, recognized by customers as the “Dragon Slayer” for its ability to flow liquid or vapor using 1-inch components, which can quickly force a tank into auto refrigeration or lower the liquid level.
- Multiple Propane response (LPG) Kits.
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Kit.
- Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Kit.
- Hydrogen (H2) Kit.
- Several custom propane training props.
Benefits of Training in ” #TheShop “
Attending training at “The Shop” provides distinct advantages over generic training at some other facilities:
- Practical & Applicable Knowledge: The training integrates Ron Huffman’s and other instructors unique blend of fire service and industry experience into a custom built facility that allows the instructor to provide hands on options and insights that are directly relevant to real-world scenarios.
- Hands-On Experience with Real Equipment: Participants get hands-on experience with the actual, industrial-grade equipment they might use in the field, ensuring familiarity and competence.
- Specialized Focus: As an Indiana-based company that has provided propane and other courses for over 30 years, RTE offers a unique, specialized curriculum that few others can match.
- Confidence & Skill Development: Training at “The Shop” helps sharpen specific, high-risk skills, boosting responder confidence and effectiveness in managing propane, CNG and other products that may be involved in your next incident.
- A location for other instructors to bring there programs. #TheShop has been made available to other nationally known instructors to bring their programs to east central Indiana.
For more information on available courses and capabilities, visit the Responder Training Enterprises website. Or contact Ron at (765) 524-4848
