The City of Kissimmee held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Kissimmee Public Safety Training Center on Tuesday, August 25th.

The 27,460 square foot facility located at 1701 Jack Calhoun Drive boasts a 20-lane firearms range, defensive tactics lab, 40-seat classroom, weapons cleaning area, and administrative offices for both police and fire personnel. The facility is also home to a five-story training/rappelling tower and burn building for the Kissimmee Fire Department.

“We are very excited about this state-of-the-art training facility. This will afford us every opportunity to prepare our officers better to respond to the most critical aspects of their duties appropriately,” said Kissimmee Police Chief Jeffrey O’Dell. 

This facility’s five-story tower and burn building/room will allow firefighters to do live-fire training and conduct simulated searches for victims. The tower will give KFD the capability to practice technical rescue training such as high-angle rope rescue and confined space rescue. This facility also includes an elevator shaft prop and ventilation prop for firefighters to train on cutting holes in roofs. 

“The Kissimmee Fire Department is excited to have a fire training center within City limits as it will enhance our abilities to prepare and train our firefighters for the future,” said Kissimmee Fire Chief Jim Walls. 

The Kissimmee Fire Training Tower is dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Bill Manning. The Kissimmee Police Department Firearms Range is dedicated to Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter’s memory.

For more information about the City of Kissimmee, visit www.kissimmee.org.