Jack Lindner
Marietta Daily Journal, Ga.
(TNS)
MARIETTA — It was the beginning of a new era Tuesday for the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services with the opening of their newly renovated $23 million training complex.
Trainees now have access to three new buildings to conduct training in addition to a renovated main academy building.
Firefighters will conduct real-world training exercises in the facility’s two-story burn building, as well as their 6-story smoke tower. The third building hosts fire simulation training facilities and classrooms, according to Fire Chief Michael Cunningham.
Each new facility is located at the department’s training complex, located at 2109 Valor Drive, in Marietta, just off County Services Parkway.
The department celebrated the “momentous occasion,” as Cunningham put it, with an open house Tuesday, complete with a cook-out lunch with hamburgers and hot dogs.
“These improvements are more than just bricks and steel and concrete,” Cunningham said. “They represent our continued commitment to excellence and training and preparedness in public safety. With these enhancements, we are now equipped to provide more realistic, rigorous and modern training environments for our firefighters.”
The project has been years in the making, according to Steve Lester, Cobb Fire’s division chief of training.
Originally, the complex was the training grounds for both the Cobb Police and Fire departments, before the police department moved off the property to open their own training facility in 2020.
After the police’s departure, county officials began an immediate renovation project proposal to update and expand the aging training complex, Lester said.
Phase 1 of the project, completed in 2022, saw updates and renovations to the main academy building. The $5 million project was funded through the 2016 SPLOST budget, according to Lester.
The 2022 SPLOST provided an additional $18 million in funding to complete Phase 2 of the project, which included constructing the burn building, smoke tower and additional classroom building.
“The buildings you see before you on these training grounds are the result of two years of planning and hard work,” Lester said.
According to Lester, Phase 3 of the project will construct a multi-purpose building to replace the Cobb County Police firing range. Construction is set to begin after the police department’s new range is completed in November. The cost of Phase 3 is included in the $18 million budget that funded Phase 2, according to the county.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners joined the hundreds of Cobb Fire officials, trainees and family members at the facility’s grand opening.
Chairwoman Lisa Cupid told the crowd she was impressed with the final product, saying the renovations are a “long time coming.”
“The amount of work is truly amazing,” Cupid said. “We could not do this without the support of our citizens … Without (the SPLOST) program, this upgrade to this facility and future upgrades would not be possible, so we thank you for participating in this group project of keeping Cobb County safe.”
During his own speech, Cunningham took a moment to thank Cobb residents for their investment in public safety.
Posted: May 7, 2025
The advanced mobile command solutions, delivered through Atlantic Emergency Solutions, enhance emergency response, intelligence gathering, and crisis negotiation capabilities.
APPLETON, Wis. (May 7, 2025) – Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, announced the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Harford County Department of Emergency Services in Bel Air, Maryland, have taken delivery of a new Frontline™ Communications C-45X-4 Mobile Command Center and a Crisis Negotiation Vehicle. These advanced vehicles, delivered through Frontline Communications dealer Atlantic Emergency Solutions, mark a significant upgrade to both agencies’ operational capabilities, providing state-of-the-art platforms for emergency response, law enforcement coordination, and community engagement.
The mobile command center serves as a shared resource for emergency services across Harford County. Designed for barricaded incidents, critical missing persons cases, and large-scale community events, the command center provides a centralized hub for real-time intelligence and decision-making.
Built on a Freightliner M2-112 chassis and powered by a 25kW generator, the 44’ 7” mobile command vehicle features four slide-out sections, seven dedicated workstations, and a full conference room in the front. The communications area is equipped to support all deployed resources, providing clear communication and coordination during live operations. Integrated technology includes live drone feeds and body camera footage streaming directly into the command center, enabling commanders to assess situations as they unfold.
“We’ve taken a 100 percent leap forward in technology with this new mobile command center,” said Lieutenant Craig Blessing of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. “Upgrading from our previous system to LEO Satellite and Dejero Gateway LTE connectivity has transformed our ability to operate in areas where we previously had no internet access. This vehicle allows us to gather intelligence efficiently, share real-time updates, and enhance situational awareness across multiple specialized teams.”
Crisis Negotiation Vehicle Expands Tactical Capabilities
In addition to the mobile command vehicle, Harford County has taken delivery of a Frontline Communications Sprinter C-20 Crisis Negotiation Vehicle. This specialized unit supports crisis negotiation teams by providing a dedicated environment for negotiators, mental health professionals, and intelligence officers to collaborate effectively.
The vehicle features two dedicated workstations, an interview room, and an officer workstation. Its technology package includes a Dejero 3 Modem Gateway with integrated Starlink, ensuring seamless communication in critical situations. By separating intelligence gathering from direct negotiations, the unit enhances real-time information sharing between the negotiator and their support team, improving response efficiency in high-risk situations.
Advanced Technology and Customization
Both vehicles are equipped with industry-leading communications and intelligence tools, including:
- Kymeta flat panel satellite antenna and Cradlepoint 5G FirstNet-ready cellular router for uninterrupted connectivity.
- Extron 32×32 video switcher, public address system, and multiple high-resolution displays for real-time coordination.
- WTI Viper HD IP mast camera with 30x zoom, body camera and drone feed integration, and an Axis perimeter camera system for enhanced situational awareness.<
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