For Immediate Release
Regional Police and Fire Training Center Opens Tuesday
What: Ribbon Cutting for new regional training center
When: 2 p.m., Aug. 14, 2012
Springfield Police and Fire Training Center, 2620 W. Battlefield
Officers and firefighters from around the region are expected at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Springfield Regional Police and Fire Training Center at 2 p.m., Aug. 14. The center is built as an addition to the joint South District Police Station/Fire Station No. 6 facility at 2620 W. Battlefield in Springfield.
The $5,277,000 project provides modern training facilities for the City of Springfield's police and fire departments and is accessible to public safety departments around the region. The project is funded by city-issued bonds, paid by 2004 level property taxes.
The facility also has an outdoor classroom and training area. Designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, the building features rappel positions on exterior walls, elevated egress doors for building rescue training and roof hatch access for overhead roof entry training.
The Police Department will be able to simulate domestic situations and other environments in which police officers may find themselves. Firefighters will be able to use practical props for hands-on fire training.
For the first time, all of these facilities will be in one place and located next to classrooms, so that academy recruits and current employees can move quickly from classroom to practical training. Until now, these facilities and classrooms have been scattered across the city in whatever space has been available.
"For years, officers with the SPD have had to travel to other locations around the state due to insufficient space and the lack of resources capable of hosting training at the police department," said Chief Paul Williams. "This new facility will allow the city to host multiple trainingevents and sponsor training by outside agencies. This will eliminate the need to travel, thereby reducing expenses and keeping our staff here locally."
Fire Chief David Hall said this facility will provide training options the fire department has never had in the past.
"I'm excited to have the ability to provide a high-quality training classroom, be able to move to another part of the facility, and do practical activities in a climate-controlled environment," Hall said.
About the Springfield Regional Police and Fire Training Center
- General Contractor: R.E. Smith Construction Co.
- Architects: Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative, Paragon Architecture
- Engineers: HDR Engineering Inc., civil; Toth and Associates Inc., structural; Smith-Goth Engineers Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing
- Size: 28,443 square feet
- Cost: $5,277,000
- Project Description: An addition to Fire Station No. 6 and the SPD South Station, the training center incorporates a situational training room for Police and Fire personnel, six multipurpose classrooms and a computer lab equipped with the latest technology, weight room, locker rooms, and a two-story situational training room with an elevated catwalk for instructor observation.
For more information, contact: Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, 417-864-1009 (office) | 417-380-3352 (cell), cscott@springfieldmo.gov