"Every Citizen Counts"
 | Vernon Smith Public Safety Education Building
The Vernon Smith Public Safety Education Building is
part of a 50-acre, six-building complex which will be located
on Kirby Loop Road at the IRCC Main Campus in Fort Pierce.
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Who? In an emergency, family is your first concern; and a prompt response from well-trained emergency personnel will guarantee your peace of mind. For more than 40 years, IRCC has trained most of the first responders in the four-county area. As the population grows, the need for emergency responders also increases. To ensure the security of the region's rapidly growing population and to meet the demands for well-qualified law enforcement officers and firefighters, IRCC is working with area public service agencies to plan the new Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex. What?
To ensure the security of our region's rapidly-growing population and provide well-qualified law enforcement officers and firefighters, IRCC is constructing the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex. This 50-acre, six-building Complex will provide the Treasure Coast with the most sophisticated and well-equipped public safety training facility in the state with the goal of producing enough officers and firefighters to protect our homes, businesses, and families as the population grows. Combining criminal justice, fire science, and forensics in one place, this vital facility will enable IRCC to train 1,200 law enforcement and corrections officers, firefighters, EMTs, paralegals, and social services workers - three times as many as can currently be trained. While keeping our local community as the primary audience, this complex will also provide training and ongoing professional development for federal, state, and local officials who can participate in real-life training exercises using the latest technologies, crime detection and fire science procedures. The Complex
Pubic Safety Training Complex Building Site Map
When? Construction for this much-needed project is underway in Fort Pierce. Where? The Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex will be located on Kirby Loop Road adjacent to the IRCC Main Campus in Fort Pierce.
Map How?
It is expected to cost $38 million to build the Complex. However, IRCC already has a commitment of $27,762 million from the State of Florida. Additional funding sources include state and federal grants, local government and Congressional awards, and private support. Public safety is everyone's concern, and the investment of private citizens is crucial to the success of this campaign. The IRCC Foundation, steered by an external advisory committee made up of top-level public safety professionals in the four-county area, has launched the $2 million Every Citizen Counts Campaign to help close the funding gap. The State of Florida Facilities Matching Gifts Program will then match dollar-for-dollar any gift, bringing the private level of support to $4 million. Major gifts may be pledged for up to five years, and all gifts will be recognized on the permanent Wall of Honor. - Honorary Commissioners for Public Safety
Facility Naming Opportunities
Classroom/Lab Naming Opportunities
Tree Walk Sponsorships -- $200
Commemorative Bricks for Public Safety Professionals -- $50
Memorial for Fallen Officers and Firefighters
Why?
Without the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, the regional demand for public safety officers is expected to dramatically outstrip the local supply. We must take a proactive position to provide peace of mind desired by everyone in our community. The Treasure Coast has many sites at high risk for acts of terrorism, including a commercial port and nuclear power plant. State and local public safety agencies must be prepared for hurricanes, floods, fires, and other natural disasters. We must be ready…
Observing what took place after Hurricane Katrina, IRCC will develop the Center for Disaster Relief and Reconstruction within the new complex and will provide training in humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness, and disaster relief for: - Disaster Resistant Communities
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Homeowners Associations
- Crime Watch Groups
- Community-based Support Organizations
- Private Citizens
The Center's Homeland Security Certificate Program will include: - Anti-terrorism and U.S. Security
- Disaster Management
- Critical Infrastructure
- Logistics
- Public Health Services
- Full-Scale Exercises
How Can You Help?
Perhaps you are in a position to touch the lives of others today by giving back a portion of the rewards you've received. A gift to the Every Citizen Counts Campaign not only demonstrates your belief in our mission, but also reinforces your commitment to making a difference in our community. To put your gift to work immediately, simply click the DONATE NOW button above. Your involvement, at any level, will strengthen our community. Thank you. Your gift can help you, too.
Many types of gifts allow you to fulfill your charitable intentions and may result in immediate and possible future benefits for you and your family. To learn how your support can benefit our work and your financial situation, and to use the Build Your Gift Tool, visit our Planned Giving section. For additional information, please contact the IRCC Foundation. "Every Citizen Counts" Campaign Committee Charged with closing the funding gap to make the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex a reality, area public safety officials and volunteers are joining forces to raise $2 million in the IRCC Foundation's Every Citizen Counts Campaign. Members of the committee are: 
(Seated L to R): Bucky Walters, Crime Lab Administrator, Indian River Crime Lab, Ted Brown, Market President, Bank of America, and IRCC Foundation Board of Directors; David Clayton, IRCC Foundation Board of Directors; Hal Roberts, Committee Chair, and Chief Operating Officer of Harbor Federal Savings Bank; Samuel Block, Attorney, Samuel A. Block, P.A.; Chief Donald Dappen, Vero Beach Police Department; Sheriff Paul May of Okeechobee County, and Dr. Edwin R. Massey, President of Indian River Community College. (Standing L to R): James Loffrado, Battalion Chief, for Fire Rescue Chief Thomas Billington of Martin County; Ron Parrish, Assistant Fire Chief, St. Lucie County Fire District; Carlos Duran, Deputy Chief, St. Lucie County Fire District; Chief Eugene Savage, Fort Pierce Police Department; Sean Baldwin, Assistant Chief of Fort Pierce Police Department; Chief Edward Morley, Stuart Police Department; Fire Chief Jay Sizemore, St. Lucie County Fire District; Sheriff Ken Mascara, St. Lucie County; Garry Wilson, Deputy Chief, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office; Bill Brunner, Undersheriff, for Sheriff Roy Raymond of Indian River County; Chief John Skinner, Port St. Lucie Police Department; and Sheriff Robert Crowder of Martin County. Committee Members not pictured: Thomas Billington, Fire Rescue Chief of Martin County; Roy Raymond, Sheriff of Indian River County; John King, Emergency Services Director of Indian River County; Dale Justice, President of Treasure Coast Fire Chiefs Association; and Fire Chief Nick Hopkins of Okeechobee County. News Articles We Support the Capital Campaign… We Support the Capital Campaign to Build the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex at Indian River Community College. - Ken Mascara
Sheriff of St. Lucie County
“As Sheriff, post 9/11, one of the biggest challenges we face is making sure our deputies can respond effectively to a multitude of scenarios, albeit a simple traffic accident or a bio-hazardous terrorist threat. This new public safety complex will ensure our ability to continue to answer this challenge.”
- Robert L. Crowder
Sheriff of Martin County
“Our law enforcement officers today have greater demands and expectations placed upon them than ever before in history. Their ability to accomplish the varied and complicated tasks of their work requires that they receive the highest quality of training and preparation. We must provide this training in an efficient and adequate setting. The new training complex being pursued by the academy staff at IRCC is something we must support and promote to help ensure a safe and secure future for our children and everyone in our region.”
- Roy Raymond
Sheriff of Indian River County
“It is my privilege as Sheriff of Indian River County to support and encourage the construction of the Treasure Coast Public Training Complex on the IRCC campus. This much-needed facility will allow for new and more advanced training opportunities for the recruits, which will provide better law enforcement for the citizens of our communities.”
- John M. Skinner
Chief of Police
Port St Lucie
"As one of the nation's fastest growing areas, the Treasure Coast brings enormous opportunities as well as challenges. IRCC continues to be visionaries in recognizing the need for "a cutting edge" public safety facility to meet the training and educational challenges facing our public safety responders. The Homeland Security training facility will be a model for others to follow!"
- Ron Parrish
Fire Chief
St. Lucie County Fire District
The influx of new residents and businesses into St. Lucie County has increased the demand for emergency services. Not only has the demand for services expanded, but the complexity of responding to “all hazard” situations require high level technical training. The addition of the new training facility will provide the opportunities to meet future training needs.
- Thomas Billington
Fire Chief
Martin County Fire Rescue
In light of the 2004 hurricanes that hit the Treasure Coast, it became clear how important it is to have well-trained firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The new training complex will provide the necessary facilities and equipment to ensure that our first responders are prepared to handle any disaster this region may encounter.
- Carlos Duran
President
Treasure Coast Fire Chiefs Association
Responding to events in today’s world requires coordination within agencies, as well as coordination with other public safety agencies, public health, utility companies and volunteer organizations. The new Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex will provide a venue that will facilitate coordinated training among agencies.
- Nick Hopkins
Fire Chief
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue
IRCC and the Fire Science Program continue to work in partnership with our agency to provide the necessary training and education to meet the needs of our employees. We are excited about the expanded training that will be available at the new training center and fully support the concept.
To learn how you can part of this exciting campaign,
contact Ann Decker at adecker@irsc.edu. 
Indian River Community College Foundation, Inc.
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Phone: (772) 462-4786
Fax: (772) 462-4602
Toll-Free 1-866-866-4722 ext. 4786 from Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
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