LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation is trying to raise $25 million to build a new reality based training center.
Tom Kovach, Executive Director of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, says the Nevada Joint Training Center is meant to provide first responders with the most realistic training possible.
Once the Nevada Joint Training Center is built, it would be the most advanced training center across the country. Before building begins, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation needs the funding.
They're hoping to raise the $25 million through private donations.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo has wanted this facility since he was voted into office but the One October tragedy only heightened the need, according to Kovach.
"We need to ensure that our officers are the best trained as possible for both small scale events and large scale events," said Kovach.
The training center would be host to up to 60 first responding agencies, including private security companies.
"We learned in One October the importance of coordinated response to a very large events, it's critical," Kovach added.
The training center would be comprised of two buildings. The first building would be more than 50,000 square feet. It would be comprised of classrooms, simulators, and administrative space.
The second building would be over 75,000 feet. Inside, a tactical village designed to mimic real life scenarios officers find themselves in. There would be real-size spaces of classrooms, banks, convenience stores, casino floors and apartment homes.
Kovach says the center would be a big step up from the facilities first responders currently use- something officers developed themselves.
"They've gone out and secured donations of equipment, lumber, and other furnishings that you'd find in some of these spaces. They've put together very rudimentary spaces for them to train in," Kovach says.
The foundation says the facility would be a lasting testimate to 'Vegas Strong.'
To find out how to donate, click here.
