Construction is progressing on the NC Emergency Training Center at the Stanly County Airport in New London. Part of the center is already completed, and Phase One is expected to wrap up by September. So far, $87 million has been invested in the project.
This new center is being developed in collaboration with the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Stanly County, and the NC Air National Guard Fire Department. It will provide firefighters and rescue teams with a facility to train for real-life emergencies.
The training areas will include:
- Aircraft firefighting, featuring a full-size crash simulator
- Swift water rescue, conducted in a safe and controlled environment
- Urban search and rescue
- Hazardous materials response
- Fire investigation certification
One of the center’s standout features is its water rescue area, which is the only facility in the U.S. that allows motorized boats to be used for training. This will equip first responders to handle flooding and storm-related rescues, especially in light of the recent hurricanes and heavy rainfall experienced across the state. The center is already operational for FAA-required aircraft rescue training, drawing participation from emergency teams throughout North Carolina.
To facilitate the opening of the water rescue section, OSFM requested a waiver for over $16,000 in water fees to provide five million gallons of water. The Albemarle City Council unanimously approved this request. This facility will serve as a crucial resource for training and preparing North Carolina’s first responders for various types of emergencies.