The Daily Herald has an article outlining plans for a new public safety training center in DuPage County:
College of DuPage officials say the nearest comprehensive training center for emergency first responders is in Texas, so they’re taking the lead in trying to bring one to Chicago’s suburbs.
The proposed Midwest Regional Training Center is envisioned as an off-campus training facility for local, state and federal agencies, as well as an emergency operations center where such groups can work together during a crisis.
The college has been looking at multiple locations — primarily in DuPage County — on which to build the training center that would cover between 30 and 50 acres. So far, officials haven’t revealed exactly which sites they’ve explored.
The construction price tag is estimated between $60 million and $75 million.
The facility would feature several indoor firearm ranges with simulations of weather conditions and moving targets, a tactical village to conduct mock shooter- and incident-response scenarios, emergency vehicle driving courses, a water rescue area, a burn tower, an airplane fuselage and a debris pit.
Joe Cassidy, the college’s dean for continuing education and extended learning, said the project fits well with goals set during a recent White House summit with community colleges and businesses that analyzed how schools can meet increased demands for job training.
Cassidy said elements of the proposed facility already exist in the area, but as a whole, “there’s nothing as comprehensive as what we’re talking about.”
Other agencies that have been active in conversations about the facility include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Illinois Emergency Management Agency; DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Chicago Police Department; BNSF Railway; and Canadian National Railway.
The college also sent a survey to gauge the interest of area police and fire departments and 130 have responded.
Wauconda Fire Chief Dave Dato said there are scattered locations throughout Lake County where “bare bones” training takes place, but the proposed facility would bring first responders throughout the region to one place.
Plans for the training center follow the opening of the $30 million, 66,000-square-foot Homeland Security Education Center on COD’s campus in fall 2011. The facility houses the college’s criminal justice and fire science/EMS programs and Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, which provides continuing education courses for area police department personnel. The building also features a “4D immersive street scene” and an emergency management center that was used by law enforcement agencies during the NATO summit last May.
The complete article is HERE.
thanks Chris
#1 by scott on March 26, 2013 - 9:50 PM
Out the door “in 5 minutes”… the standard is on scene from receipt of call 5-6mins!
To CLARIFY… DUCOM does not make response policy they just dispatch the towns following what has been agreed on! The Div 12 agencies do. DUCOM is a dispatch agency. The individual towns (except for the fire alliance towns) make the policies for auto aid & mutual aid.
#2 by chris r on March 26, 2013 - 12:54 AM
There was a study and GLEN ELLYN first responding fire engine is usually out in about five minutes, since most of GLEN ELLYN calls are ems related at night time, the medics get there first. On a fire alarm call the medics get there, do an investagation and let the first due engine company know whats going on and they decide if to hold the alarm or return companies. GLEN ELLYN isnt as busy as other fire departments, so the system works. The iso made GLEN ELLYN a class 2, so GLEN ELLYN doing something right .
#3 by Mez Yonk on March 25, 2013 - 5:17 PM
“Adequate response times” from Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company could be debated. They staff one engine during the day, on weekdays. Their firehouses are unmanned at night, with the exception of contract paramedics.
#4 by John H on March 25, 2013 - 3:18 PM
And there’s even a Wheaton fire station on Blachard St. that can’t be more than about a mile away, too. I can’t imagine LWFD can provide adequate response times to COD…
#5 by Michael M on March 25, 2013 - 1:52 PM
COD is a hike for LWFPD. However Glen Ellyn is part of the Fire Alliance. Even though COD is no longer part of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn staion 62 is still the closest station to COD. Would DuComm still send Glen Ellyn since they are the closest which is the idea behind the Fire Alliance?
#6 by Dan on March 25, 2013 - 9:17 AM
Maybe they’ll require you to have all possible certifications before you can apply to do anything there, just like their consortium testing seems to be doing………
#7 by chris r on March 24, 2013 - 10:33 PM
COD was wrong to part from GLEN ELLYN because the college wants to do do their own building inspections and building plans , they feel they can make their own rules . GLEN ELLYN provided good coverage and a quick ems response to the college . Also the GLEN ELLYN police also gave COD good service .
#8 by Brian on March 24, 2013 - 8:45 PM
I hope they built a station there, that is a hike for LWFPD
#9 by Josh B on March 24, 2013 - 8:12 AM
I also believe, COD has land reserved for a possible building for a 1 bay firehouse for Lisle Woodridge. That’s if they build dorms on site. This also comes because the LWFD took over COD fire protection last year, when COD spilt from Glen Ellyn. The closest firehouse is station 5, at Warenville Rd and Yackley, a far hike from station 5 to the COD campus.