Palm Bay Police Finish Tactical Tower At New Training Facility

By  //  July 14, 2015

training simulator, Shoot house next for PBPD

The 60 foot tactical tower at the Palm Bay training facility is complete. This is part of phase 1 of the police range improvements that will ultimately create a regional first responder training complex. (Palm Bay Police image)
The 60 foot tactical tower at the Palm Bay training facility is complete. This is part of phase 1 of the police range improvements that will ultimately create a regional first responder training complex. (Palm Bay Police image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The 60 foot tactical tower at the Palm Bay training facility is complete. 

This is part of phase 1 of the police range improvements that will ultimately create a regional first responder training complex.

First responders will use this tactical tower to train in a variety of scenarios including multi-story rescues, barricaded subjects, tactical operations and a multitude of other critical incidents.

Last year, the Florida Legislature awarded the department $1 million to add critical training components to the range.

The first phase includes a training simulator, a shoot house and the newly built tactical tower.

Mark Renkens
Mark Renkens

“Collectively these components are essential in facilitating the most advanced training for first responders and we will be putting it to good use,” said Interim Chief Mark Renkens.

“In today’s world we have to be prepared for the worst things imaginable and it is absolutely essential to have the best training tools available.”

The simulator allows police and other first responders to train for the most difficult real-world situations such as ambushes, active shooters, terrorism, and other critical incidents.

It trains them in maintaining situational awareness during extreme stress. The shoot house allows live-fire realistic scenarios to play out in an unfamiliar and changing environment.