Disaster preparationCalifornia builds a sophisticated Emergency Response Training Center

Citing the need for further emergency training, some Sacramento County officials have proposed a plan to construct a $56 million training facility for Californian emergency responders which would handle all types of training and scenarios.

As theSacramento Bee reports, the massive facility would have the ability to train crews in a nearly unlimited amount of situations. For example, emergency crews might be “required to douse a real 727 jet as it lies in pieces across a field…or make spit-second decisions on how to approach a derailed train leaking crude oil, or figure out how to quickly pull survivors out of a partially demolished and unstable building after a terrorist bombing or earthquake.”

“This is a one-stop shop,” said Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Chief Kurt Henke, “Anything you can think of, you can set it up at this facility.”

Though plans have not been fully confirmed for the site, construction of the facility — dubbed the Emergency Response Training Center (ERTC) – has already begun on 53 acres near Mather Field in Rancho Cordova.

Though the effort had been in the works for some time, a fear of increased shipments of crude oil throughout the state has prompted people such as the state Office of Emergency Services chief Kim Zagaris to lobby the legislature for the resources necessary.

“The governor and Legislature have been very good with us asking what those needs are,” said Zagaris, “We’re waiting to see what comes out of this.”

Proponents for the training center are also seeking grants, and money from private companies for support. Federal Express donated a 727 jet, and the group is also seeking rail cars as other props.

Representatives of the Valero Refining Company, which plans on shipping around 100 cars of crude oil throughout the Sacramento area daily, have responded favorably toward the prospect of the ERTC.

“Much of the specialized training we require is only available out-of-state,” said Valero spokesman Chris Howe, “We have been in touch with state representatives about their plans. If a facility and program were available nearby and met our training needs, we would consider it.”

Henke noted that the planning group had not yet determined what it would charge emergency service agencies to utilize the facility for training, but noted that in the recession environment of 2014, many groups would like to secure well-rounded training for their teams.

“We’re doing a cost analysis right now, to make sure we set a legitimate price point,” he said.