College of DuPage constructing Homeland Security Training Center

College of DuPage has begun construction of the new Homeland Security Training Center, a 39,714-square-foot facility that includes a state-of-the-art indoor firing range and a call center training lab. This facility is Phase II in the completion of the College's Homeland Security Training Institute.

The $16 million center, funded by the 2010 capital bond referendum, is scheduled to open in summer 2015. Visit the Flickr page to see photos of the construction.

"It's a unique facility that will continue our strong commitment to first responder training," said Tom Brady, associate dean of continuing education and director of the Homeland Security Training Institute.

The firing range, which measures 100 feet by 50 yards, will feature 24 target positions, running man targets and a simulator to replicate a variety of scenarios for both proximity and tactical training. Squad cars can be driven into the range to teach police cadets how to properly and safely approach suspects and vehicles.

Bruce Schmiedl, director of facilities planning and development, said the building's design was created to maximize learning space and minimize sound.

"The ground outside the exterior walls of the firing range will be elevated to capture part of the sound," he said. "We also hired a firing range consultant to specifically address the acoustics and minimize sound transfer, as we don't want the classrooms in the building to be disturbed. Inside the range, we are using reinforced concrete with ballistic-resistant panels on walls and ceilings."

Brady said cadets at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, which is located at College of DuPage, currently travel to Will County for their firearm training. With the addition of this facility, SLEA training can be completed in its entirety at COD. Outside agencies and police departments will also have access to the range for training and firearms safety.

The new facility also will contain several multi-purpose classrooms and a call center training room for employees working at dispatch centers.

"Because of the high cost to run a dispatch center, more municipalities are joining together to run a single operation, and these employees need training in a variety of different areas," Brady said.

The Homeland Security Training Center is the second phase of the Homeland Security Training Institute, which provides education for law enforcement, fire science, first responders and corporate security personnel. The first phase consists of the Homeland Security Education Center, a 66,000 square-foot facility that opened in 2011. It houses the College's Criminal Justice, Fire Science/EMS, Police Department and the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy and features a full-scale indoor street scene for force-on-force exercises, forensics and cybercrimes labs, a command center designed to instruct National Incident Management System protocols, a smoke room with moveable walls for EMS, fire rescue simulations and an outdoor scaling and rappelling tower, and a full-size ambulance.

"The new center under construction allows us to build upon the high-quality educational experience taking place in the Homeland Security Education Center," Brady said. "Both facilities will provide a level of coordinated training that will be unique in the Midwest."

For more information about the center, contact Brady at bradyt145@cod.edu or by calling (630) 942-2190.