COD dedicates Homeland Security Education Center

“Wow” was the universal reaction of area officials at the Sept. 27 dedication of the Homeland Security Education Center at College of DuPage.

“This facility, which will be used by so many of those who serve and protect is - to put it simply - ‘wow.' It is awesome,” said Illinois Community College Board Chairman Alexi Giannoulias. “College of DuPage is the role model and the benchmark for community colleges and four-year institutions across the United States,”

Congressman Joe Walsh, member of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, also shared his awe at the new center, applauding the College's achievement and continued dedication to providing valuable first responder training.

“We have faced threats since 9/11, but recent attempts remain only threats because of the fine men and women who protect and serve us every day,” he said. “This facility places College of DuPage at the forefront of first responder training in the Midwest and – someday soon – nationwide. The training offered by this facility will help our first responders become “first-preventers” in the war on terrorism.”

The new 66,000 square-foot Homeland Security Education Center is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional training center that features a full-scale indoor street scene for force-on-force exercises, forensics and cybercrimes labs, a smoke room with moveable walls, a fire and scaling tower, and a full-size ambulance for first-responder training.

“Our collective vision is now a reality,” said COD Chairman David Carlin. “This state-of-the-art facility offers the most realistic scenario-specific training available today for fire and law enforcement personnel. We are proud to have this resource right here in DuPage County.”

Approximately 7,600 individuals are expected to receive training through the HEC annually. The building houses the College's Criminal Justice and Fire Science/EMS programs, as well as the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy and the College of DuPage Police Department.

Construction of the HEC, which began in 2010, is part of the College's $383 million Facilities Master Plan. The $25 million facility was funded through proceeds from the College's successful 2002 referendum.

College of DuPage President Robert L. Breuder thanked all of those involved in the two-year development, planning and construction of the HEC.

“I can't think of a building that will mean more to our community than the Homeland Security Education Center, whose purpose is to train men and women who help ensure both our homes and workplaces are safe and secure,” Dr. Breuder said. “This building, even before its opening, had attracted visitors from federal, state and local agencies as well as other countries. We are pleased to provide this state-of-the-art facility, with all its equipment, to those men and women working on the front line.”