Central Piedmont Community College is developing North Carolina’s largest collegiate training site for first responders, featuring over 135,000 square feet of specialized training space on a 24-acre campus. The cutting-edge facility will provide sophisticated, collaborative training environments equipped with advanced technology to prepare students and professionals for real-world emergency scenarios.
- Client: Central Piedmont Community College
- Location: Matthews, NC
- Size: 24 acres
- Delivery Method: CMAR
- Partner: LEO A DALY
The design team of Boomerang Design and LEO A DALY provides both local and national expertise in public safety facilities for this ambitious master planning project at Central Piedmont Community College. The goal is to establish North Carolina’s largest collegiate training site dedicated to both in-service and academic training for first responders. Through this innovative training site, Central Piedmont Community College aims to elevate the standard of first responder training, ultimately enhancing public safety across the region. The development of this state-of-the-art campus is anticipated to occur in phases and is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
Comprehensive Training Space
The new training facility will encompass over 135,000 square feet of specialized training space across a sprawling 24 acres. Key features include:
- Fire Training Prop Pads: 30,000 square feet dedicated to comprehensive fire training simulations
- Outdoor Driving and Emergency Vehicle Training: An expansive 14 acres designated for practical driving experiences
- Simulation Training Village: A 24-acre area created to mimic various emergency situations
- Indoor Firing Range: A dedicated space for firearm training
- Urban and Rural Street Scenes: Realistic environments that enhance situational awareness
- Fire Apparatus Storage: Purpose-built spaces to accommodate firefighting equipment
- Advanced Training Structures: Facilities that ensure comprehensive preparation for real-world challenges
This innovative facility is designed to meet the training needs not just of students, but also of local, regional, and federal agencies.
Collaboration for Real-World Experience
Central Piedmont Community College’s commitment to training goes beyond the classroom. This facility aims to foster an advanced, real-world learning environment where students and professionals from various agencies, including emergency medical services (EMS), fire, and law enforcement, can train collaboratively.
Cutting-Edge Technology + Simulation
Equipped with the latest technology, the facility will feature simulation spaces that accurately replicate real-life emergency scenarios. Trainees will benefit from hands-on experiences that prepare them for the complex challenges they will face in the field.
