Round Rock fire and police departments open $29 million training facility

Inside this new training facility, you'll find first responders preparing themselves, for anything that comes their way.

“You've seen a change in society in general throughout the country. For us to have this training facility to train our officers for any scenario that may occur within our society or community, is important,” said Chief Allen Banks, Round Rock Police Department.

Back in 2013, voters approved of this facility in a bond election. The city broke ground in 2016, and now it's open.

“This week we get to open that facility and show our community what they entrusted the city to do,” said Banks.

Not only will the facility provide much needed training...

But it will save taxpayer dollars. Beforehand, PD and FD members would travel to get this type of training.

“We would send firefighters either to Cedar Park, Georgetown, College Station, even to Fort Worth,” said Chief Robert Isbell, Round Rock Fire Department.

“There was always the vision to use this as a public training facility, so that day has come, that fruition has come,” said Mayor Craig Morgan, city of Round Rock.

The facility is equipped with state of the art technology, classrooms, and simulations very close to dealing with the real thing.

“We have to be training for those really high risk incidents, regardless of whether they happen that frequently. This facility brings that to the forefront,” said Isbell.

The facility cost $29 million to build but Banks says voters can feel confident their hard earned money is being well-spent.

Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. there will be an open house for the public.