In Quarters: Tri-C Public Safety Simulated Scenario Village, Cleveland, OH

This facility received the Training Gold Award in the 2022 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here. 

The Cuyahoga Community College Simulated Scenario Village was designed to provide critical training for first responders so that they can encounter an array of simulated emergency situations before they join their local fire, EMS or police department. The project expands the capabilities of the existing apparatus bays and burn tower to include a training center and several multistory prop buildings, which replicates an urban environment.

The first building that trainees encounter as they enter the village is Building A, which is the main control building and centerpiece of the training village. The three-story structure resembles an office building that one might encounter in Anytown, USA. The building contains a virtual reality simulator, a training room that has wall-to-wall mats for physical training and a training control room that has an observation deck that oversees the entire village.

Four separate prop buildings can transform into numerous configurations, which gives students the opportunity to simulate various scenarios on any given day. Movable wall systems and multiple entry points allow for an array of simulated environments. For additional stress components, the facilities can introduce other distractions, such as sirens, traffic noises, flashing lights, crowd sounds and nontoxic smoke. The building roofs are reinforced with tie off points and are lined with padding to allow for rappelling practice and training with ladders on multiple stories. Two hundred feet from the retail area is a wood-framed house. Located on a 110-foot-wide cul-de-sac, fire, EMS and police vehicles can drive right up and begin their simulated exercises.

The existing fire station was expanded, to provide another 4,000 square feet of space for classrooms and training of the fire safety students. A pavilion was added to serve as an outdoor classroom. Signature red poured resinous floors and red chairs accent the space.    

Architect/Firm Name: DS Architecture