'helps all of us train at a higher level' - Renkens
ABOVE VIDEO:The City of Palm Bay invested over $600,000 in enhancements and completed significant upgrades creating an open-access training facility for police, fire and EMS personnel.
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – In 2015 the Palm Bay Police Department completed the first phase of over $1 million in improvements to the 40-acre training facility known as “The Range.”
On Monday, the City celebrated with a Virtual Ribbon Cutting and the release of the a four minute long video that showcases the 60-foot tactical tower, shoot-house and a training simulator that were all completed in 2015.
The 60-foot tactical tower completed in phase one allows first responders to train in multi-story structures and can improve abilities to rescue trapped victims.
The shoot-house is a structure that facilitates the testing of a first responder’s ability to respond to an active shooter or other such critical incidents that might take place inside a home or building.
The training simulator also delivers a variety of scenarios that test an officer’s command presence, verbal skills, less lethal options and other situations.
Mark Renkens
“You can’t put a price on the training this facility provides,” said Chief Mark Renkens.
“The continued investment in this facility will help all of us train at a higher level and will undoubtedly improve public safety response. We appreciate all the support from Speaker Steve Crisafulli, the entire Brevard delegation and members of the Palm Bay City Council. Funding for this project would not have been possible without the support of our state and local officials. ”
“The facility is great and we definitely appreciate the opportunity to train out there,” said Sergeant Dino Savvidos of the Sebastian Police Department.
“The training facility itself offers a multitude of training opportunities and it has allowed us to focus on more dynamic types of training due to the versatility of the facility. It has also helped reinforce the partnerships that we have, not only with the Palm Bay Police Department, but other agencies that we encounter while we are out there training.”
