SCC Center Provides Home for Public Safety Training

Firefighters demonstrate training exercise in residential burn building.

As of Saturday, August 27, 2011

Local fire departments, rescue squads and law-enforcement agencies now have a new, permanent training ground.

On Friday morning, Sandhills Community College dedicated the Larry R. Caddell Public Safety Training Center, which will serve as the site for specialized training operations for volunteer and professional public safety personnel through SCC’s continuing education program.

The center will allow local departments to regularly schedule training exercises that offer personnel the chance to practice various emergency scenarios.

The $2.5 million training facility, which was funded by the 2000 state bond referendum and the 2007 Moore County bond referendum, sits on a 40-acre tract next to the old Carthage Fabrics plant on Niagara Carthage Road.

The center includes a 1.5-story residential burn building, a drafting pit, a four-story drill tower for rappelling and rescue simulations, a control tower and mobile classroom unit.

In the future, the college hopes to add an indoor firing range and a driving track where emergency service groups can practice driving vehicles.

SCC President John Dempsey called the dedication “a milestone” for Moore County.

“We’ve been talking about this for 15 years,” Dempsey said. “The whole thing has come together to serve Moore County and its surrounding counties well. It’s really going to serve a whole region of the state.”

The SCC Board of Trustees named the center after Caddell, now a former board member and a current Moore County commissioner, because of his extensive public service to Moore County.

Caddell was instrumental in helping the college acquire the land for the center by working with the Riddle family to purchase it through the Century Committee of Carthage. He has been a member of the board of trustees for the last 26 years and has been a county commissioner since 2006.

Caddell described the dedication as one of the “most humbling things” he has ever experienced.

“This is a great day for Moore County, and I’m honored to be in this position that I’m in,” he said during the ceremony. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

As a former volunteer firefighter and assistant fire chief with the Carthage Fire Department, Caddell said he understands the sacrifice of volunteer service that many in the community often overlook. Caddell said he wishes more people could understand the sacrifice and the dangers of being a firefighter.

“My heart has always gone out to those guys who do this for nothing,” he said. “People don’t realize what they do. This is a tough profession. This [center] is going to make them better firefighters.”

During the ceremony, he emphasized the invaluable service that public safety personnel provide every day by recounting the loss of his home in a house fire just over a year ago.

“My wife, Lisa, and I really understand what having a fire department is all about,” he said.

Caddell recounted the call he received from his son that night when he learned his home had burned.

“He said, ‘Dad, the house is gone, but you’d be proud — there’s firetrucks as far as you can see,’” Caddell said. “That’s what today is all about. It’s not about Larry Caddell. It’s to make our firefighters safer.”

Caddell also praised the efforts of SCC for its service to the community and called his position on the college’s board of trustees “one of the best jobs” he has ever had.

“[Sandhills] afforded people like me to have an education that I wouldn’t have had without them,” he said. “If God gave me a special job, it was to be a trustee at this college.”

After the dedication ceremony and a ribbon-cutting, visitors observed training demonstrations, including a building burn and a rappel from the center’s drill tower performed by Rich Gough, SCC vice president of business and administrative services.

“That was fun!” Gough said after rappelling down four stories. “They should charge to do this!”

While the day’s celebration was all in good fun, the center stands to give Moore County emergency personnel a leg up as they continually train to serve the community.

The public safety division of the college’s continuing education program helps meet the training needs for local law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and fire departments by offering training classes, certification courses, seminars and other programs.

Andi Korte, dean of continuing education, said the center helps address the need for more expertise in public safety services that has grown in correlation with increased development Moore County over the last few years.

Just this past year, SCC offered 242 training events for local departments.

Jayne Heisig, public service training coordinator, has seen significant growth in local fire departments just in her 19 years at the college.

“The fire services have just developed so much as far as rules and regulations go,” she said. “There is so much more accountability and safety to consider.”

She said the center will address the demand for more services by guaranteeing access to the specialized training that departments need for personnel certification.

In the past, the college has not been able to provide comprehensive training experiences for students because fire departments had to wait for a structure to become available to perform live training for building burns.

Heisig said she often had to make do in classes by simulating the training with burning vehicles or pallets instead.

“It’s really complicated to make that happen,” she said. “This [center] will make it so that any time there is a class, we will be able to burn. They’ll be able to train properly and safely.”

Floyd Fritz, deputy chief of the Pinehurst Fire Department, said he sees opportunity for local departments to train together and develop stronger working relationships that are invaluable in an emergency.

“This center provides unity between departments because it allows us all to train at the same time,” he said. “It allows us to train in a cohesive manner.”

Contact Hannah Sharpe at hannah@thepilot.com.

More like this story

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

" “The whole thing has come together to serve Moore County and its surrounding counties well. It’s really going to serve a whole region of the state". What will be the fees associated with out of county use? Or are the taxpayers of Poorer County continue to exacerbate the spending spree the current board of Commissioners is on in a time of economic crisis? Lee County has a facility as well. The Pilot failed to report or mention the untimely death of Sargent Eli Colonroche:

SANFORD, NC — Sanford police confirmed Wednesday that an officer died following a rappelling accident during a Tuesday afternoon training session at the Emergency Services Training Center off Tramway Road.

The officer, 55-year-old Elieser “Eli” Colonroche, died at roughly 6:30 p.m. at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after he slammed into the wall of a four-story tower on the training grounds, authorities said.

“It was just an accident,” said Maj. Kevin Gray, head of the Sanford Police Department’s field operations. “There were no safety issues, all the safety precautions were followed.”

It appears that borrowing money on behalf of taxpayers is one method to shine when it comes to political charisma. I've said for the past 5 years Commissioner Caddell's egotistical goal was to have his name placed on a building like his mentor George Little. While SCC staff was having fun at the new center, taxpayers who are paying their salaries, should be up in arms. As long as one can remember, emergency units have performed above and beyond their limitations. For those who have lived in this county for more than 30 years, can remember when the small Vass Rescue Squad led by Captain Max Edwards, competed in the World Heavy Rescue Competition beating out New York City Fire and Rescue to win the World Heavy Rescue Competition. If any name should have gone on that building, it should have been Max Edwards; one of the pioneers of Rescue in Moore County should have received that honor. Definitely not spend your tax dollars Caddell - a Washington democrat in disguise. We won't bring to light the ethical conflicts and business issues surrounding Commissioner Caddell's business interests with SCC and Poorer County.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

For those tax and spend supporters who contend that the tax rate remains the same that is a misconception. New building in Poorer County is stagnant while bonds have to be paid. When this board finally is voted out of office, the next board will be faced with the debt left behind like the debris from Hurricane Irene. We will hear the same old mantra..."well, we didn't create that debt". Get involved in what is happening in this county before the tax burden becomes overwhelming to a point of no recovery. It's your tax dollars!

camesh 1 year, 8 months ago

.Its not to late to say thank you to Max Edwards and the pioneers of Vass Rescue. Capt. Edwards a dedicated rescueman, gave freely of his time and energy.. Not seeking glory or fame, Capt. Edwards had the desire to help the citizens of Vass and surrounding area. Thank You, Max for your leadership and foresight.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

camesh ~ I find irony in the story line above, " $2.5 million training facility, which was funded by the 2000 state bond referendum and the 2007 Moore County bond", Capt. Edwards, and many Vass squads-men and ladies auxiliary sold barbecue dinners for weeks to build the repelling tower and pay for travel expenses to New York. This was back in the '70's if I recall. They were and in my humble opinion, still one of the best in the state. Now some 41 years later, taxpayers are paying 2.5 million for this new Larry Caddell training center. Has methodology for fire fighting changed that much in 41 years that in a global, national, and state economic crisis, that amount of money was needed to be spent? I just wonder by a show of hands how many people in this county ever heard of Max Edwards? A pioneer in his own right ~ not Larry Caddell!

skylinefirepest 1 year, 8 months ago

Tommy-- To name it after Max would have been appropriate...or Hugh McLean, or Pete Rapatas, or any of about another few dozen or so! Actually, Vass Rescue exists now only in the memories of people like yourself. Vass Rescue is now part and parcel of Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue. We are one of three heavy rescue units in Moore County. And yes, if our ISO rating is any indication, we are one of the best fire departments around. We were the first in the state to lower the ISO rating to a 6 on a portable water supply. That fact was not lost on state officials when they asked us to participate in the making of a training video on water supply to be sent to every fire department in North Carolina. In my travels I have had at least three people ( including a State Trooper in Raleigh,and a fire training officer from near Raeford ) to mention to me that we could be proud of what we had done. Last year Circle V Fire, Cameron Fire, and Vass Rescue merged to become Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue. We just recently passed another ISO rating and just barely missed being rated at a 5. Moore County is blessed to have men and women who work ( and volunteer ) in our Emergency Services. Firefighting is an inherently dangerous profession as evidenced by the recent loss of Capt. Bowen in Asheville, the Charleston Nine, and the losses in the attack on the World Trade Center. It is a priviledge to work with these guys from throughout the county and I've enjoyed it now for slightly over twenty years. Any one of these guys would lay their life on the line to help their fellow man. This training center will now allow us to train here like we have in other areas of the state. It should be a real boon to our county.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

Thank you for bringing me up to date. To me Max was the driving force behind the Rescue Squad, Hugh McLean with the Fire Department. Pete served the people of Southern Pines with a desire to have one of the finest Fire Departments in the state. He brought it up to standards that mirrored other department s around the state. Growing up in Vass, there was a sense of community unlike today. My point was that community efforts provided results as opposed to continuous spending and debt for decades to come. The training facility may prove to enhance training goals, but why should the taxpayers of Moore County provide "free" training facilities to other counties? Most counties have their own managed systems in place. Bond after Bond after Bond. Take a trip to Carthage and ascertain on what date their wasn't a bond for Sandhills Community College? You will find that several bonds were already obligated before the voters or taxpayers voted ~ except the last Limited Obligation Bond...that one was a done deal from the outset. That precedence not allowing taxpayers or voters to cast a vote, violated our constitutional rights as a free society.Now the County Board has complete control to do whatever they so choose. Think about it!

skylinefirepest 1 year, 8 months ago

Usually if a class is given through the Community College system there is a fee for the class, the amount depending on what the student is...a member of a fire dept., rescue squad, etc. or just a citizen. It's late and I'm tired but there is a fee schedule and years ago, as an EMT but not affiliated with a local rescue squad, I was supposed to pay a higher fee for any classes that I took. I know that as a current member of a fire dept. my classes are charged at a lower fee.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

Good observation Skyline...student fees apply to SCC general revenue fund. Those fees help offset SCC expenditures. Just like any other tuition fees which are regulated by the state, as well as continuing education fees. I stand to be corrected since my highest level of Economics is 3000 level classes. What I fail to understand, which of those user fees will apply to the two Bonds totaling 2.5 million since SCC derives all of the revenue and taxpayers are still stuck with paying for Larry Caddell's egotistical venture using our money, that by the way also incurs interest? Here's how it works with a County Commissioner sitting on a board, approving budgets, and then voting while "representing" the people of this county, to approve that same budget. No one has even questioned where the $160,000. for SCC Police Department budget mystically appeared out of the "Building and Grounds" budget line item. This year that same money was budgeted Dempseys' budget request. Did he get another 160$k as slush fund money in the Building and Grounds budget line item? Bottom line: Taxpayers are footing the bill ~ not Larry Caddell, John Dempsey, or George Little. Taxpayers will never see one dime of that 2.5 million recovered nor the interest. Let's not forget the New Gold Bar Hilton for people like mass murderer Robert Stewart sitting fat and happy. Just wait until the new prison comes on line, as one inmate once told me at Cameron Morrison, "I have it better in here than at home". That statement speaks volumes.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

BTW Skyline ~ Once the SCC police department came on line, Southern Software pulled the same stunt they did with the county: they donated software. Now they can advertise to other 2 year schools who may budget for a campus police department using SCC as a showroom. As I said in another thread, the term Gotcha applies in these donated situations. What will the cost to taxpayers to implement another software application? Gotcha

jon 1 year, 8 months ago

Southern Software has over 800 customers in 9 states if you do your research. They are all listed on their website. Why is it that anyone would think that a small community college and a small Sheriff's Office is the key to marketing for this company? They have sheriff's offices like I found in Arkansas - Benton County, where Walmart Headquarters is located, or in Texas - Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, near Dallas that dwarf our Sheriff's office in size (though we have a great Sheriff's Office.) Why would adding these two small agencies to the list be such a huge marketingt tool for them? And again, what would it cost our county if Southern Software didn't donate it to the college, if that is what they did? It saved us tax dollars? Are there really people who want us to pay full price? I don't understand this philosophy.

Also, training will be revenue for the county to outside agencies and will literally help save lives. If we are to spend tax payer dollars, there is no better thing to spend money on that life saving measures. The jail you call a Hilton is to protect the citizens from these prisoners and also the jailers, who are constantly in fights in that jail. Do you realize that Timothy Wilkes, the man convicted recently of attempting to kill his wife in front of their son, with a baseball bat, was in general population? He is a very dangerous ex soldier who they could not keep detained in appropriate housing. We are desperately in need of a new jail.

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

jon G as an employee of SCC I understand your conviction and loyalty to Larry Caddell and Southern Software. I have visited the Southern Software website, and they also provide "municipal software" to the county that wasn't set out for bid.

"Why is it that anyone would think that a small community college and a small Sheriff's Office is the key to marketing for this company" opportunity to increase sales through local venues without the showroom expense. The Sheriff's department served as a BETA testing adjunct for debugging software.

"what would it cost our county if Southern Software didn't donate it to the college" the larger question was why a two year community college would need a campus police department when Southern Pinews Police has jurisdiction?

"Are there really people who want us to pay full price?" this goes back to the ethics of a SCC Board Member serving on their board as well as being a county commissioner. What was the logic behind George Little and Larry Caddells' reason for a campus police department in the first place?

" training will be revenue for the county to outside agencies" and exactly how are student fees transferred to county general fund to offset the 2.5 million dollar debt. That doesn't compute.

"Timothy Wilkes, the man convicted recently of attempting to kill his wife..." and what has that have to do with a Federal sized prison that is more expensive than our Harnett county neighbor? That's another blog...last year!

"We are desperately in need of a new jail." 125 beds vs 600? Where's the logic in that increase? T. Cary McSwain looking to manage a larger facility? Please explain what a county manager is doing managing the jail in the first place? For decades the High Sheriff managed the jail...why the change?

Bflat 1 year, 8 months ago

Why was this building named for a person that was formerly sitting on the Board of Trustees of SCC and also is a County Commissioner? How much will the ongoing software support and equipment cost the taxpayers/college for the supposed "gift" of software for the campus police? It's like printers and ink when the manufacturer knows he can sell a printer at a discount because the future benefits of selling ink are far greater. Future corporate benefits continue to pad the pockets of people like Caddell---all at an expense to the taxpayers.

wbearp 1 year, 8 months ago

Congrats to Larry. Now that he has a facility named in his honor, let's name the new joint in Carthage after Nick!

rightwingpatriot 1 year, 8 months ago

Im so glad to finnally see this center open! No more having to travel to lumberton or lee co. This sight will help firefighter and emt's from all over

Toda 1 year, 8 months ago

So, did those trips equal 2.5 million plus interest? There has not been a question regarding the facility. Just the timing (our nation and state is in a economic crisis by the way), why was Caddell and TPo4 so eager to spend our money? by the way, did you vote on this expenditure along with the other 52.3 million? I might add, there are other pioneers in the Rescue and Fire departments other than Larry R Caddell who carry's his ethical baggage with him where ever his name shows up in print. Since the taxpayers are footing the bill, why not dedicate it to the taxpayers of Poorer County?

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