The facility will serve as a main training site for police, fire and emergency services in the area, according to a release from the city.
What they’re saying
The tactical building will give police and fire personnel a dedicated practice space for situations ranging from building entries to active shooter simulations for schools, Cedar Park Police Chief Mike Harmon said: “This is going to enhance the current training we have.”
“We’ve been using a house here as a classroom for the last couple decades,” Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said. “This is going to really be able to expand our capabilities, especially our technology, where we can learn and then immediately train on those skills we learn.”
City Council member Kevin Harris said there’s value in allowing different departments to train together, calling it a “win-win” for the city and its residents.
“Emergency services is the core of local government and what we are supposed to perform for our residents, so this is the utmost importance to our community,” council member Bobbi Hutchinson said.
Dig deeper
The facility will also serve the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Voters approved funding for the $30 million facility through the 2022 bond program, and it is expected to have:
- Emergency operations center
- 17,000 square feet of training space with classrooms
- Meeting and training spaces
- 7,700 square foot apparatus bay
- Offices
Quote of note
“As our city has grown, it was something that we knew we wanted to do and we’re getting it done, and I’m excited about it,” Harris said.
