Issuu

PUBLIC S A F E T Y

A C A D E M Y

PUBLIC SAFETY The facility features a crime/fire strategy planning center, a self-defense training center, an indoor firing range, an equipment and weapons vault, and a first-aid station. There are also laboratories which include an arson lab, a sprinkler lab, a communications lab, and simulation labs, conference rooms and administrative offices, classrooms, an auditorium with stadium seating and a gymnasium, an exercise facility with locker rooms, and maintenance and garage space for training vehicles.

5SAFETY 13COMMUNITY 17GATHERING 21LEARNING 25ENVIRONMENT

safe·ty (seyf-tee) noun the state of being safe. the quality of making safe or secure, or of giving confidence, justifying trust.

There was a vision in Fort Wayne, Indiana to build a state-of-the-art, collaborative facility that would encompass a holistic view of homeland security. It was imperative to incorporate a diverse playing field that afforded input from a wide-range of partners interested in the training and education nexus to homeland security. The Academy was based on a vision to create a new learning model where Public Safety students could interact with Emergency Services professionals. This one-of-a-kind facility empowers a new learning paradigm and has attracted national level interest from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and others.

SAFETY

TRAINING

INNOVATION

INTEGRATION

EDUCATION

Whether you are a first responder, or a first-year student, the academy meets your needs. Equipped with a gymnasium and weight room for meeting the physical demands of the job and state-ofthe-art simulators to acquire specific job knowledge, the academy gives you the resources to better serve the public and respond to emergency needs.

locations

Building Trust and Community Connection

Integrated Public Safety Training

Dynamic Learning Environment

Innovative Technology in Public Safety

safety

The Regional Public Safety Academy is a first class facility that was designed to improve the education and training of first responders through a world class curriculum.

safety

com·mu·ni·ty a unified body of individuals with common interests. an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location.

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT... The success of the Regional Public Safety Academy (RPSA) relies heavily on support and use by the community. Therefore, as programming began, members of the design team and the City met with the future users and supporters of the facility throughout the State. These included: 1st responders National Guard Department of Homeland Security Legislators Educational partners Businesses

We believe in the people who work in and operate the facility. We also believe that in order to keep a community safe, we need to provide environments that enhance that vision and allow people to achieve their very best.

community

gath·er·ing (gath’ər-ing) noun an assembly of persons; a meeting. the act or fact of coming together.

GATHERING AND INTERACTION... The design concept of the RPSA was to create a “city within a city.” An urbanized concept and plan was implemented, similar to what was used in the development of early cities, to create a gathering space for the community. The hallways, inspired by a “streetscape” concept were designed to encourage collaboration between students and professionals.

Womens Lockers

Mens Lockers

Auditorium

Gymnasium Weight Room

Robotic Room

Gathering Room

Library

Classroom

Wet Lab

Dry Lab

Mat Room

EMS Classroom Instructors

Simunition Room Firing Range

Driving Water Sim. Sim.

Storage

Fire Arms Training

Apparatus Bay

first floor plan

Radio Planning

Studio

Radio

Production

Computer Labs

Lounge

Classroom

Faculty Storage Conference Instructors

Classrooms Offices

second floor plan

The goal was to fuse the theoretical with the practical application by affording students and responders the opportunity to meet in gathering areas to discuss how principles in the classroom translate to the real world.

gathering

learn·ing (lûr ning) noun the act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill through schooling or study. psychology, behavioral modification especially through experience or conditioning.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT... All of the learning activity within the RPSA is powered by the latest training venues, classroom design, and automation. An example of the high level of technology incorporated into the design is the inclusion of a SIMMAN state-of-the-art EMS simulator that is used for training purposes. The auditorium, planning center and classrooms are equipped for distance learning. Computer labs round out this one-of-a-kind facility.

The Academy is a technology-rich, dynamic learning environment. Students advance their career in public safety through traditional learning and more significantly through informal learning and collaboration with professionals in the field.

learning

en·vi·ron·ment surrounding conditions, especially those influencing development or growth. social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community.

From the start of the project, the stakeholders of the Regional Public Safety Academy were committed to creating a sustainable facility for their community. Therefore, the design team went to great lengths to ensure that the finished product was as green as possible. Sustainable features include: • Natural day lighting provided throughout the facility • Precast concrete with recycled aggregate • Low maintenance finishes • Recycled steel • Recycled gypsum board • No VOC paints, coatings and sealants • Waterless urinals, which save 3,200 gallons of water per year, per urinal • Parking lot asphalt was recycled • Roof is low maintenance and has a high reflective index • Sensor controlled lights

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First responders training together

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Private sector safety training

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Collaboration of educational partners

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Regional partnership with the US Department of

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Workforce recruitment and training system

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Secure facility serving as a regional EOC

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Fully interoperable 800 MHz communications

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Department of Defense robotics innovation and

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Unified city/county Homeland Security Department

Homeland Security

demonstration center

environment

PASSION... PRINCIPLE

ES... PARTNERSHIPS Through every stage of the development of this facility, passion was the underlying directive that drove the decision making process. Our experienced team of design professionals constant goal was to fully understand the principles of each unique user group and the community. Through development of strong partnerships the mission, goals and operational needs of the facility were synthesized into a safe, secure and functional environment.