TOWN OF ULSTER – Construction of Ulster County’s first Public Safety Training Center in the Town of Ulster has begun as officials ceremonially broke ground on the facility on Wednesday.
The center will include a three-story concrete building that will house the state-of-the-art burn facility and will also provide additional hands-on training equipment that has previously been unavailable in the county. As a result, local volunteers had to seek training in other areas of the state.
The new facility will also be available to other first responders and law enforcement personnel for training on a number of emergency scenarios.
“Ulster County’s firefighters and first responders risk their lives to protect the lives of others,” said County Executive Patrick Ryan. “Thanks to the hard work of our partners in organized labor, I am proud that we have taken that next step towards providing our courageous local firefighters with essential services and resources that will help them get the proper training to perform their duties safely and better serve all of Ulster County residents.”
County Legislature Chairwoman Tracey Bartels said the training center “has been a long time coming and is critically important.” She said the new facility will provide access to “crucial training right here in Ulster County and that, most certainly, will mean lives saved.”
County Fire Coordinator Everett Erichsen echoed the sentiments. “It is vital that we provide (firefighters) with the best possible tools and programs in order to grow with changes in the fire service,” he said. “The Public Safety Training Center will equip our local service members with the high quality of training, which will enhance performance and save lives.”
