Public Safety Training Center
The Westmoreland-Public Safety Training Center is designed to serve as the premier source for keeping the region's first responders up-to-date with essential skills by providing realistic fire service, rescue, hazardous materials, emergency medical services and law enforcement training.
If you would like to make a donation to support the Public Safety Training Center, you can do so here:
Quick Links:
- EMT Course(s)
- Current PSTC Fire, Hazmat, & Rescue Course Schedule
- Municipal Police Academy
- Police Officer Updates
- Citizens Handgun Safety
PSTC Facility Usage Quick Links:
PSTC Fire, Hazmat, & Rescue Courses for Fire Department Hosting Quick Links:
Missing PSTC Fire, Hazmat, & Rescue Certificates of Completion Quick Link:
The center is home to a variety of continuing education programs, including:
- Firefighting
- Rescue Training
- Hazardous Materials Training
- Law Enforcement
- Police Academy
- Lethal Weapons Programs
- Emergency Medical Services
Fire scenario inside burn building - The PSTC has two burn buildings.
Rescue scenarios at the PSTC - The PSTC offers basic rope rescue and high angle rescue courses.
Vehicle rescue demonstration - Firefighters demonstrate vehicle rescue techniques at the PSTC. The center offers these courses.
Training at the PSTC - Fire departments use the PSTC for training exercises.
Donated Fire Truck - Hempfield Twp. donated a fire truck to the PSTC in 2017.
Apparatus Bay - A new apparatus bay was added to the PSTC in 2018.
Located in South Huntingdon Township, the PSTC is situated on a 167-acre site that is isolated but very accessible by Interstate 70, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and airports.
The facility features a two-story Class A burn building and six-story tower with an attached residential building that simulates industrial, commercial and residential structures. Also on site are an administration/classroom building, outdoor firing range, rope rescue and confined space rescue areas, structural collapse area, chlorine railcar, ponds and additional training props.
Municipal Police Academy - Cadets and instructor
Municipal Police Academy - Cadet
Municipal Police Academy - Cadet and instructor with K9
Municipal Police Academy - Range practice
Municipal Police Academy - Range practice
Municipal Police Academy - Cadet and K9
Municipal Police Academy - Training Car
Municipal Police Academy - Cadets with training car
Municipal Police Academy - Gym
Municipal Police Academy - Cadets
Municipal Police Academy - Gym
Since its inception in 1979, the Westmoreland County Community College Municipal Police Officers' Training Academy has provided police officers with the knowledge and training necessary to perform today's law enforcement tasks as well as a foundation upon which the officer may continue to enhance his or her police skills and academic knowledge.
All of our programs are taught by experts with a collective 300 years of law enforcement experience. The academy is under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC), headquartered in Hersey, Pennsylvania. The commission is empowered to implement the statutory requirements of the various police training acts.
The police aspect of the training facility features a 17 station, 50 yard outdoor shooting range with a stone base and cement pads at all the required qualification yardages. In addition to the shooting range, the facility also offers an apartment complex with breachable doors for dynamic entry or simunitions training. The grounds can also be used for simulated traffic stops and active shooter situations. The training possibilities are endless.
Directions
Address:
65 Public Safety Drive
Smithton, PA 15479
From Interstate 70 W (New Stanton and PA Turnpike, exit 75)
- Take I-70 W eight (8) miles from New Stanton to the Smithton exit (no. 49)
- Exit then turn LEFT at the stop sign
- Proceed 1 mile to Fitz Henry Road
- Turn RIGHT onto Reduction Road
- Proceed 1 mile to the PSTC entrance on the left
From Interstate 70 E (Belle Vernon and I-79)
- Proceed on I-70 E to the Smithton exit (no. 49)
- Exit and turn LEFT at the stop sign
- Continue straight onto Fitz Henry Road and follow the directions above