This award provides funding to support Davidson-Davie Community College’s (DDCC) new regional training facility for emergency response and public health. The college will use $17.2 million in State funds to construct the center which will include a fire tower, burn building, and basic law enforcement facility with classrooms and a shooting range. In addition, a driving pad will also support both firefighter and basic law enforcement training. Centrally located in the state, recent data indicates that many fire/rescue departments and law enforcement agencies in the area are suffering staffing shortages. Currently there is a need to hire 22 certified firefighters with an average starting salary range between $35,000 – $42,000. Similarly, local police departments in the region have nearly 250 vacancies, with starting salaries around $55,000. The project anticipates increasing law enforcement by 86 and new firefighters by 100 within two years. Golden LEAF funds will be used for equipment for the BLET program.
