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Training Center Funding - New Ideas and Old Favorites
It has been the experience of IBG that federal and state funding avenues for public services training facilities are generally difficult to come by. Many government agencies take the approach that facilities (bricks and mortar) are the responsibility of the local jurisdiction. Most government grants address equipment, public education, and consumable supply needs. Below are descriptions of alternative funding resources that IBG feels are worthy of review and consideration.
Local and State Bonds Many governmental entities commonly fund capital projects through the issuance of bonds. There are many advantages to bonds for both the issuer and the buyer (or investor). BACKGROUND - Bonds are issued by state and local governments, also called municipalities, to raise money for public works projects like the construction and maintenance of bridges, public safety training centers and water treatment facilities. A bond issuer (the municipality) sells the bond to the bond holder (the investor). The bond holder lends the issuer a fixed amount of money for a certain amount of time in exchange for regularly scheduled interest payments. Municipal bonds are one of the safest long-term investments. Municipal bonds are exempt from federal, state and local income taxes if you live in the issuing municipality. Since 1913, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allowed investors to withhold paying income tax on any earnings from municipal bonds. When the interest rates for municipal bonds are higher than for Treasury bills, an investor earns significantly more especially money since earnings are not taxed.
An excellent resource of a successful training center bond is the West Metro Fire District in Lakewood Colorado. In 2006 voters approved an initiative which allowed the fire district to sell $43 million dollars of construction bonds for new fire stations and a fire training center. A synopsis of the West Metro bond effort may be found at: Identifying Alternative Funding Sources To Ensure Sustainability
State Funding Alternatives Some states, such as Wyoming, have developed specialized funding programs that are available to county and local governments. Sources of the funding vary from state to state; in Wyoming it is derived largely from mineral resources. For example: In Wyoming the State Land Investment Board (SLIB) administers the Mineral Royalty Grant (MRG) Program and the Countywide Consensus (CWC) Grants Program. The MRG awards grant to:
- Alleviate an emergency situation which poses a direct and immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare.
- To comply with federal or state mandates.
- To provide an essential public service.
Special Legislation
Funding for a public safety training facility was included in an $846 million bonding bill in the state of Minnesota. Within the bond was $1.46 million for a public safety and education training center. The funding can be used for design plans. The overall training center project is budgeted at $20 million. A key consideration (and important selling point) was the regional aspect of the project. The center will cater to EMS, police and fire personnel, the local community college, and regional hospital.
In Oregon a 280-acre land mass was zoned as farm land. By special state legislation the land was re-considered as an essential location for a public services training facility. This legislation will allow for the construction of a public services training center on the 280-acre parcel.
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Citizens Submit Their Questions
The questions below were asked (submitted) by non public safety professionals. We found some of the questions to be interesting, funny, and some insightful. Click on the answer to read responses or add your own.
Q: What are good, successful excuses people have used after being pulled over by a cop?
Q: Why are the people who answer 911 calls so relaxed? A: (answer) Q: Should I pull over when an ambulance is coming in the other lane? A: (answer) Q: If you call 9-1-1 from your house, do emergency responders have the right to break into your house if need be? A: (answer)
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The SKIDCAR SYSTEM� is an advanced driver training solution that teaches drivers to anticipate car control problems before they occur. With SKIDCAR™, drivers experience exactly how a vehicle will behave in situations that can cause traction loss, including adverse weather, excessive speed, rapid braking or steering errors. But unlike other programs that simply teach reactionary motor skills, SKIDCAR trains drivers to think, maintain control, and avoid trouble ahead of time. |
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With the significant expansion of our business from the North American market to the International stage, Fireblast is now embracing our new DBA, Fireblast Global. This change will undoubtedly solidify our vision at Fireblast Global to be the World's leading provider of Advanced Fire Training Simulators. As such, Fireblast Global will continue to exemplify our commitment to Integrity, Innovation, and Intellect, always keeping at the forefront, the customer's needs for the most realistic, and technically advanced training environments. Please visit our newly designed website, www.fireblast.com, for a complete listing of all products for your agency's training needs.
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Kidde Fire Trainers brings together the proven leaders in the industry to offer the broadest range of fire training solutions to meet your training needs. With more than 30 years of live fire training knowledge, Kidde Fire Trainers has the experience that instills confidence. Count on Kidde to deliver innovative training systems, installed on time and within budget.
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FAAC Incorporated builds and delivers high-fidelity driver training simulator systems for public safety and emergency response agencies. FAAC simulators are used primarily to develop higher cognitive driving functions such as judgment, multi-tasking, and decision-making in high-risk, low-frequency situations. In addition, simulators are used for teaching SOPs, incident command, and building muscle memory for basic driving techniques. Instructors replay the student's driving exercise for critique and remediation opportunities.
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IES Interactive Training is a world-leading manufacturer of advanced interactive force-option decision/response simulators and firearms training systems. IES's award winning MILO Range training simulator systems are selected by agencies interested in improving weapons and force-option deployment skills, decision-making and cognitive thinking skills, and measuring individual and collective tactical and technical skills in law enforcement, public safety and combat environments.
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Drager's comprehensive portfolio of both Class A and B professional fire training props, as well as custom configurable SCBA confidence mazes, allow solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of individual fire departments, giving Fire Fighters the ability to practice in a safe environment. Whether you are looking for a fixed or mobile solution, let the experts at Drager help you design the solution that is right for you.
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ResponderGateway.net has been designed to make it easy to find exactly what's going on in the world of the emergency responder. One place. One stop. One source. This site is a great resource for anyone who wants to stay up to date about various subjects within the first responder industry and doesn't have time to waste.
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WE SUPPORT
FSTI has provided training to the volunteer public safety community since 2006. It has been our mission to provide high quality training to firefighters while at the same time promoting community safety.
Fire Services Training Institute (FSTI) is a non-profit public benefit corporation with both state and federal tax exempt status.
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