New Canine Training Facility, Emergency Vehicle Training Facility Open In Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Officials this week celebrated three new facilities that are either completed or under construction to support Prince George's County’s public safety agencies.

Public safety leaders cut the ribbon on two new facilities that are opening, a Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Training Facility, and broke ground on a new Special Operations Division Center.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring our public safety agencies have the resources they need to effectively serve our communities and keep our residents safe,” said Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “Replacing some of our aging public safety infrastructure with new, state-of-the-art facilities and technology will help our public safety personnel quickly respond to threats and emergencies. At the same time, we are engaging local, small and minority-owned businesses in these construction projects, helping build generational wealth for Prince Georgians.”

The Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Training Facility construction projects were overseen by the Prince George’s County Office of Central Services. Both facilities are a $17 million construction project completed by a county-based small business, Nardi Construction.

The 10,000-square-foot Canine Training Facility provides program support space, training and canine housing for the Prince George’s Police Department. The 2,600-square-foot Emergency Vehicle Operations Course features a mile-long driving track, skills pad and a slow skills pad for maneuvering in tight areas. The driving track is designed to meet the largest fire/EMS vehicle in weight and length, and will support multiple public safety agencies with driving training, as well as the county department of public works and transportation.

The Special Operations Division Center is a new construction project that is currently underway, also overseen by the Office of Central Services. The facility is a $23 million project and the selected contractor is a county-based small business and minority business enterprise, Warren Builds.

The new 50,000-square-foot headquarters for police special operations will be used to house the Tactical Section, Traffic Section, Canine Section, Aviation Section, National Harbor Section, the Special Services Section, Crossing Guard Unit and Automated Enforcement Unit. The location of the facility also will reduce response times and enhance operational efficiency to respond rapidly to emergencies or threats.