By Melynda Griffin
Published on November 21, 2007
During the last seven years alone, the United States has been struck by terrorism, natural disasters, an increase in criminal activity, and multiple health scares. Naturally people have become much more concerned with public safety these days, and with increased interest has come increased effort in providing improved training for individuals serving the community through law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency services.
Pensacola Junior College has been doing its part in this effort by providing degree and certificate programs in criminal justice, health services, and fire rescue. However, there still has been a need for more variety in these programs, and better training.
Escambia County is combining forces with Pensacola Junior College to create and fund a “state-of-the-art” Public Safety Training Academy.
Funding for the construction of this academy includes $10.9 million from Escambia County, matched dollar-for-dollar by a State of Florida grant for a total of $21.8 million, Dr. Thomas Delaino, PJC president, said.
A specific location for the project has yet to be determined. However much attention is being placed upon land located north of Nine Mile Road in Cantonment, and once the land is acquired facility plans and construction can begin.
According to Dr. Jeff Cantor, provost of the PJC Pensacola Campus, this not only will be an academy of training for current and future PJC students, but also a “regional training academy that will allow us to host state programs, federal programs and other kinds of training opportunities for first responders from across the region.”
With these added state and federal programs will come additional degree and certificate programs, fresh career opportunities and superior training facilities for PJC students.
Basic training for the police and fire academy will be included in the center, along with advanced and specialized law enforcement training; advanced fire services training; emergency management courses and correctional officer training. Also, courses from the Florida Fire College, National Fire Academy and National Emergency Training Center (FEMA) will be hosted at this Public Safety Training Academy.
This new training center will also provide for extreme “hands on” training and development. Not only have a driving and marksmanship range been included in the plans, but also a “fire tower, burn building, and simulation city,” Cantor said.
The center also will contain classrooms using the latest advanced technology.
Once the project is completed, Pensacola Junior College will be the only school in the region offering all of these facilities in one area.