ST. GEORGE, Utah - The Dixie Applied Technology College officially opened their new Emergency Response Training Center Thursday. The center takes advantage of an existing building and an existing training ground.
At the ribbon cutting, directors expressed gratitude to the city for working with them to transform the old airport terminal into classrooms.
The center will house courses in first aid, CPR and other emergency response training. It’s a prime location because the long runways will take a beating that other roads and parking lots won’t.
“Individual departments are using their guys in a great capacity,” said DXATC Emergency Response Training Center director Jason Whipple. “But I think this gives us an opportunity to bring all those guys together to create a hub, so we can get that training in.”
St. George Mayor Jon Pike spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was attended by police chiefs, sheriffs and EMTs. He said one of the most important assets a city can provide is public safety.
“We take great pride in making sure we have the best training for our firefighters and our police, and everyone within those departments,” Pike said.
Pike said one of the exciting things about the DXATC expanding is the use of the old airport. It’s a building that’s sat vacant for several years, while the city wondered what they could do with it.
“We’ve already had the BLM here doing training, firefighter training,” Pike said. “And it just works out really great to be able to use the runway. It’s already here, might as well do that.”
Pike said the addition of the center also plays into a larger goal of re-purposing the entire ridge top complex. The city hopes to market it as a high-tech business park.
More information on classes being offered at the Emergency Response Training Center can be found on the DXATC’s website, here.
