MONCKS CORNER, SC (WCSC) – The Berkeley County Emergency Services Training Center off Highway 52 in Moncks Corner will undergo a complete renovation after the county approved accepting state funds to rehabilitate the center.
The state was able to raise $1,616,398.57 for the project.
The current three-classroom building opened over 25 years ago and provides training and courses for fire, police, EMS, 911 and emergency management throughout the region.
Pine Ridge Fire Department Fire Chief Benjamin Waring says this new facility will bring many benefits to the fire department and its public safety partners.
“Everything from police dog training on the sheriff’s side to mass casualty training on the EMS side, active shooter training and firefighting training in all areas of the fire service,” Waring says.
The project includes the modernization of the current classroom building, including complete new IT infrastructure, AV equipment, bathrooms, flooring, ceiling tiles and furniture. A renovation of the exterior facade is also planned.
The biggest part of this project will be the construction of a new fire tower that will be lit for fire drills. The current one is only two stories high and the new one being built nearby will have four.
Waring says they plan to renovate the current two-story firing tower in the near future.
State Rep. Mark Smith says many of the buildings in Berkeley County are four stories tall, so raising the current fire tower will better prepare firefighters in training for their future duties.
Smith says he recognized the need to rehabilitate this facility and found it easy to understand.
“Our number one priority is the safety of our citizens. And that includes having first responders who can answer the phone and who are trained and equipped to do the job we ask of them. That includes responding to fires, 911 calls and police calls,” Smith says.
Waring says they are currently in the tendering process for this project, but that construction time once the contracts are signed is expected to be about 10 months.
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