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Harper College opens regional Emergency Services Training Center with federal, state and local support
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Summary
Harper College marked the opening of its Emergency Services Training Center with trustees, elected officials, local fire chiefs and donors in attendance; speakers highlighted a $1,000,000 congressionally directed spending grant, $3,500,000 in state capital funding, donated apparatus and new credential pathways for students and incumbent firefighters.
Bill Kelly, chair of the Hartford College Board of Trustees, opened the ceremony at Harper College, praising the center as a community partnership that will keep first responders closer to home for training. "Every first responder who trains here will possess the skills, confidence, and readiness that this center makes possible," Kelly said.
Dr. Avis Proctor, president of William Reedy Harper College, said the facility was built through regional collaboration and targeted funding. Proctor thanked federal and state partners, attributing a $1,000,000 congressionally directed spending grant and $3,500,000 in state capital funding as key to completing the project. "Their support reflects a strong commitment to both this institution and the communities we collectively serve," Proctor said.
The college and its partners also announced several in-kind donations to equip the training program. Proctor named the Mount Prospect Fire Department for donating a fire engine, Schaumburg for contributing a ladder truck and Lincolnwood for an AMKUS spreader, cutter and power unit, and noted additional donations of protective gear and equipment from Paramedic Services of Illinois and WS Darley.
Dr. Joanne Ivory, dean for career and technical programs, described the training tower and scenario-based exercises designed into the facility. "This tower was designed to provide realistic scenario-based training aligned with the demands of modern emergency response," Ivory said, adding that the center will support multi-story operations, search-and-rescue, ventilation and coordinated team response training.
Norm Bemis, fire science program coordinator, framed the center as a regional hub that allows students to earn credentials and degrees on campus. Bemis said students can pursue an associate degree, EMT-B certification and basic operations firefighter certification at Harper and continue toward paramedic certification, enabling both new recruits and incumbent professionals to access repeatable, hands-on training locally.
A local fire chief who spoke at the ceremony emphasized the long-standing demand for a nearby training facility and praised the turnout from area departments. The chief said the center will reduce travel to out-of-district facilities and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline.
Event organizers recognized campus staff, construction partners (FGM Architects, Pepper Construction), elected officials and municipal leaders from Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and neighboring communities for their role in the project. Dr. Proctor thanked operational crews and event staff in closing before the ceremonial countdown to the ribbon cutting.
The college said the center is intended to serve students and regional emergency services personnel; officials described the facility as part of a broader workforce development strategy. No formal vote or action was recorded at the ceremony; the event was a dedication and public launch of the program.
