MONTEBELLO : City Plans Center for Emergency Training
The city is planning a $5-million regional emergency training complex for police, firefighters and volunteers.
Fire and police officials realized after the Northridge earthquake that more volunteer workers are needed and that police officers and firefighters need additional training, said Steve Huson, Montebello fire battalion chief.
The center, to be built in Montebello or Santa Fe Springs, would offer training in first aid, emergency evacuations, rescues from collapsed buildings, shelter management and communications.
The city has received a $1-million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Veterans Affairs to help fund the training center. Rep. Esteban E. Torres (D-La Puente) helped obtain the grant.
Officials plan to seek private donations, additional federal monies or funds from area cities to make up the balance, Huson said.
The complex would serve Montebello, Pico Rivera, Commerce, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Monterey Park, East Los Angeles, Norwalk, Compton, Vernon and La Habra Heights.
Officials hope to obtain the remaining funds and begin construction next year.
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