BernCo Celebrates Grand Opening of Public Safety Training Academy

Today, BernCo leaders celebrated the grand opening of the Public Safety Training Academy at 3801 Broadway Blvd. SE with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The approximately 41,000 square-foot facility brings Bernalillo County Fire Rescue’s training academy and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office training academy under one roof.
The state-of-the-art facility houses a lecture hall, eight classrooms with audio and visuals aids, a dedicated fitness center for physical training, a firearms training simulation room, the relocation of an existing drill tower and much more.
“The new Public Safety Training Academy is a monumental step forward for Bernalillo County. It represents not just an investment in the infrastructure of public safety but a commitment to the highest standards of training for our deputies and firefighters. By bringing our resources together under one roof, we are fostering a stronger, more unified approach to emergency response and public safety,” says Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
“Whether it’s a fire, a car crash or a medical emergency, firefighters rely on their training and this property truly is allowing us to provide the very best training for our cadets and gives us the confidence that they are ready to go out and serve our community,” says Deputy County Manager for Public Safety and Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Chief Greg Perez.
Additionally, the building which focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability, will achieve a rating of two Green Globes with motion sensing lights, solar panels, and smart thermostats adding to BernCo’s efforts of reducing emissions.
Previously the BCFR Training Academy was located south of Rio Bravo at 4401 Broadway Blvd. SE and the BCSO Training Academy was in Downtown Albuquerque at 415 Tijeras Ave. NW.
“This area of the South Valley has primarily been home to industrial type businesses, factories and salvage yards, but with this new facility, BernCo is leading by example and showing others that there are opportunities for so much more down here,” says District 2 Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada.