Cedar Park breaks ground on the new Public Safety Joint Training Facility

Cedar Park breaks ground on the new Public Safety Joint Training Facility

Funded by the voter-approved 2022 Bond Program

Cedar Park is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a new Public Safety Joint Training Facility that will serve as the premier training site for police, fire, and emergency management personnel. This project, funded by Cedar Park residents through the 2022 voter-approved bond program, demonstrates the importance of safety and preparedness in our community. This facility will foster a collaborative environment where first responders from multiple agencies can train together, enhancing their preparedness and coordinated response capabilities to protect the Cedar Park community and the surrounding area.

Mike Harmon, Chief of Police, said, "The Public Safety Joint Training Facility is a game-changer for our department and the community we serve. By enhancing collaboration and providing cutting-edge training, we ensure that our first responders are equipped to handle any situation efficiently and confidently. This investment in our personnel directly translates to a safer, more resilient community."

Located at 1200-1204 Fire Lane, adjacent to the existing Fire Training Tower, the $30 million center designed by Hoefer Welker and to be constructed by Core Construction includes three facilities: a 17,000-square-foot Training Facility with classrooms, office space, and an Emergency Operations Center; a 10,000-square-foot facility housing space for fitness and simulated real-world training applications; and a 7,700-square-foot Apparatus Bay to house vehicles for the Emergency Management and Fire Departments.

“The Cedar Park Fire Department looks forward to completing the new Public Safety Joint Training Facility. The facility will allow for seamless classroom instruction and the ability to practice skills immediately. The facility will also bring all public safety training together on one site, improving cross-training and response,” said James Mallinger, Fire Chief.

This project explicitly supports and furthers the City Council's goal of improving Public Safety in Cedar Park. With the completion of the new Public Safety Joint Training Center, Cedar Park will increase all hazards and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery through training, coordination, and intergovernmental cooperation.

“The new Public Safety Training Facility includes a first-ever dedicated Emergency Operations Center, which will allow the City of Cedar Park to increase better all-hazards and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery by having a dedicated location for city leadership and other partners come together to better coordinate how the City responds to and recovers from major disasters as well as large, preplanned public events. We are excited for the completion of this new facility,” said John Cummins, Emergency Management Coordinator.

The project timeline includes construction starting in Fall 2024, with occupancy estimated in Spring 2026.