SCCC Public Safety Training Academy Receives Upgrades

Sussex County Community College (SCCC) has secured $546,000 in FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending to improve the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA). According to Stan Kula, SCCC's Executive Foundation Director, the funding will support comprehensive academic and vocational emergency management programming that is "critically needed."

The improvements made to equipment, technology, and training for the PSTA this past year will have a lasting impact. This achievement was a collaborative effort involving Dr. Cory Homer, Interim President, Stan Kula, Foundation Executive Director, and John Dixon, PSTA Director.

“We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant, which will enable us to provide critical training to firefighters, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and community members,” stated John Dixon. “This support allows us to enhance safety, improve emergency response capabilities, and ensure our community is better prepared to handle crises. On behalf of the PSTA, we extend our heartfelt thanks for this investment in public safety and education.”

The funding was made available through the Department of Education's Innovation and Improvement Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and serves as a foundation for advancing educational programming at SCCC.

"For years, the PSTA has been a dedicated ally to Sussex County's firefighting volunteers, offering vital training through Fire 1 and Fire 2 classes,” remarked Dr. Homer. While updates to teaching methods and programs once progressed slowly, the past year has marked a significant transformation, enhancing the academy’s impact and service to the county."

The equipment purchased from the project funding includes:

• 2003 Pierce Engine Firetruck
• 2007 Pierce Aerial/Quint Firetruck
• Hundreds of Feet of New Hose
• 4 Thermal Imaging Cameras are used to improve the efficiency of victim searches and monitor fire behavior progression. They are industry-leading models utilized by firefighters across the region. The PSTA had only one camera, they now have five.
• 20 Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Facepieces bring the PSTA up to current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. As a Class A Live Fire facility, the PSTA relies heavily on this equipment, which endures significant wear and tear while providing our instructors with the highest level of respiratory protection. The updated SCBA units are more ergonomic, helping to reduce fatigue and minimize the risk of injuries.
• 10 SCBA Packs
• 20 SCBA Cylinders
• Ground-Based Roof Prop
• Live Fire Roof Prop: These roof training props are essential for teaching recruits and experienced firefighters the critical skill of vertical ventilation in structural firefighting. Training begins with recruits practicing on the ground-level prop before progressing to the elevated roof prop under live fire conditions.                 
• Cessna Plane Prop: Sussex County is home to two airports and has experienced numerous incidents requiring emergency responses from surrounding police, fire, and EMS agencies. Having a plane prop to simulate real-world scenarios enhances the safety and preparedness of first responders when managing such incidents. This would be the only plane prop in the region, setting the PSTA apart from other training academies.
• TECCC Bleeding Manakin: Sussex County has established a Rescue Task Force unit. This mannequin will greatly enhance real-world training scenarios by simulating bleeding victims and other injuries. It will also enable the PSTA to deliver courses such as Stop the Bleed, CPR, AED, and other Basic Life Support (BLS) training programs.

"The enhancement of the PSTA is a critical investment for taxpayers, as it enables the expansion of local educational programming for fire, police, and EMS within the county," said Stan Kula. "This project will benefit all Sussex County residents, either directly or indirectly, as the county's volunteer fire departments and police stations will rely on the PSTA for essential training."

To learn more about the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy programs, visit sussex.edu/psta.