Orange County Fire Rescue Department celebrated a significant milestone with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Training Center on June 18, 2025. This state-of-the-art facility, built on a 38-acre campus, aims to enhance training for both current personnel and new recruits, ensuring the community benefits from a well-prepared emergency response team.

Chief Fitzgerald, who spearheaded the project, emphasized the center's dual purpose: to provide an exceptional training environment for firefighters and to foster collaboration with community partners and public safety agencies. The facility boasts a 30,000 square foot education building equipped with modern amenities, including seven classrooms, a cutting-edge incident command simulator, and a dedicated fitness gym.

Key features of the Training Center include two five-story drill towers, a three-story burn building, and a large prop field designed for state certification training. The site also houses specialized areas for confined space training and vehicle machinery rescue, making it a unique asset for Central Florida.

The Training Center is designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a rooftop solar array to help reduce energy costs. Chief Fitzgerald noted that the facility was developed with input from firefighters, ensuring it meets the practical needs of those who will use it.

As the ceremony concluded, the community was reminded of the importance of this investment in public safety, which promises to enhance emergency response capabilities and support the ongoing development of local firefighters. The Training Center stands as a testament to Orange County's commitment to excellence in public service and community safety.