College of Dupage wants to build public safety training center

The *Daily Herald* recently published an article detailing the College of DuPage’s ambitious plans for a new public safety training center in DuPage County. The project aims to fill a critical gap in emergency response training, as officials note that the closest comprehensive facility for first responders is currently located in Texas. The proposed Midwest Regional Training Center is designed to serve as an off-campus hub for local, state, and federal agencies. It will not only provide training but also function as an emergency operations center where different groups can collaborate during crises. The college has been exploring several potential locations, primarily within DuPage County, with the site expected to span between 30 and 50 acres. However, specific details about the sites under consideration have not yet been disclosed. Estimated construction costs range from $60 million to $75 million, making this a significant investment in public safety infrastructure. The facility will feature a wide array of advanced training tools, including indoor firearm ranges with simulated weather conditions and moving targets, a tactical village for mock scenarios, driving courses for emergency vehicles, a water rescue area, a burn tower, an airplane fuselage, and a debris pit. Joe Cassidy, dean of continuing education at the college, emphasized that the project aligns with goals set during a recent White House summit focused on how community colleges can better meet the growing demand for job training. While similar training elements exist in the region, Cassidy noted that nothing currently offers the same level of comprehensiveness as the proposed center. Several key agencies have shown interest in the project, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and local law enforcement and rail authorities like the Chicago Police Department, BNSF Railway, and Canadian National Railway. To gauge local support, the college conducted a survey targeting police and fire departments across the area, with 130 responding so far. Wauconda Fire Chief Dave Dato highlighted that while some basic training occurs in scattered locations, the new center would centralize efforts and bring first responders from across the region together in one place. This initiative follows the opening of the $30 million Homeland Security Education Center on COD’s campus in 2011. That facility houses criminal justice and fire science programs, the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, and features a “4D immersive street scene” and an emergency management center used during the NATO summit last May. The complete article can be found [HERE]. Thanks, Chris.

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