Ocean County officials today joined with members of the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools, and emergency responders in cutting a ceremonial red ribbon marking the completion of a classroom expansion at the Ocean County Training Center.
“In order to make certain there is enough space for everyone using this training center we have added an additional 4,100 square feet of classroom space,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “This additional space is helping our efforts to provide a top-notch learning experience for everyone that uses this center.”
Opened in September 1998, the Ocean County Training Center serves as the home of the county’s fire and first aid academies. In recent years, the Training Center has provided space for the vo-tech’s Law and Public Safety program.
“The new space can accommodate up to 120 students,” Kelly said. “And, the space can be separated by motorized partitions to create smaller or larger areas based on the activities being conducted.”
Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the County’s Vo-Tech School District, noted that the Training Center expansion highlights the spirit of cooperation that exists among county agencies.
“Under this one roof we are training firefighters and emergency medical technicians and also helping shape the future of our young residents who attend the vo-tech Law and Public Safety program,” Vicari said. “This is truly a great day for the residents of Ocean County for they will benefit the most from the training received by those who attend school and hone their emergency response skills here.”
William P. Hoey Jr., Superintendent of the vo-tech schools, thanked the Freeholders for their ongoing support of the educational programs provided by the vo-tech school district.
“This expansion provides young adults with future opportunities,” Hoey said. “This partnership comes with many benefits and most importantly provides our students with a first class learning environment.”
In addition to the new classroom space, the project includes new sidewalks around the building, and the relocation of air conditioning units. The parking lot is expected to be repaved now that the classroom construction is completed.
In addition, upgrades have been made to the smoke house sensor system and the burn box has been replaced.
The training center includes six individual buildings housed on 18 acres of property located at 200 Volunteer Way. In addition to the new classroom space, each building has individual and unique features that aid in the enhancement of the training of Ocean County’s volunteers and personnel. The contractor for the project was Apex Engineering of Union Inc. The cost of the project was $955,000.
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