$3.5 Million Emergency Response Training Center Planned For Camp Ripley

CAMP RIPLEY - A new facility to help fire departments learn how to fight an oil train fire is being planned for Camp Ripley. Governor Mark Dayton has included $3.5 million for the project in his bonding proposal.

Don Kerr is the Director of Military Affairs for the Minnesota National Guard. He says it would simulate a small town setting.  Kerr says the Joint Emergency Response Training Center would also have a pipeline safety training component as well.

It is an initiative of the Department Of Public Safety.

Kerr says Governor Dayton's bonding proposal also includes $3.5 million to upgrade the National Guard Armory in St. Cloud. He says the National Guard recently became the sole occupant of the building, when the Army Reserve Unit moved out. Renovations include new windows, doors, and possibly a new roof.