I attended the BOMA/Suburban Chicago's Emergency Preparedness Event at College of DuPage Homeland Security Training Institute on September 6, 2018. Nearly 40 BOMA/Suburban Chicago members attended the event as well.

After a hearty breakfast, we were welcomed by Thomas Brady, Associate Dean/Director of the Homeland Security Training Institute. He previously served in the US Postal Inspection Service for 26 years; Inspector in Charge Washington Division - Amerithrax Investigation; Deputy Chief Inspector Western Field Operations; Inspector in Charge Chicago Division - Former Governor Rod Blagojevich Investigation; and he has a BA in Psychology and MS in Integrated Homeland Security Management.

The Homeland Security Training Institute was established in 2013. It includes Continuing Education for customers, including: Police Officers; Fire Fighters; Emergency Managers; Private Sector Global Security Employees; Suburban Law Enforcement Academy; and Community Members. 

The SSG Robert Miller Homeland Security Education Center

The SSG Robert Miller Homeland Security Education Center was opened in September 2011. It is 66,940 square feet and a LEEDS Certified Facility. The Education Center is home to Fire Science credit programs, Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, Tactical Training Environments, and the COD Police Department. 

Also included in the Homeland Security Educational Center is a Street Scene where students practice Emergency Medical Services, Fire Fighter Services, among other professions. The students practice with fire trucks, ambulances, ladders, etc. The Street Scene was recently upgraded to include new acoustics to eliminate objectionable sounds from transmitting into adjoining classrooms.

The Homeland Security Training Institute

The Homeland Security Training Institute building opened in August 2015. It is 39,714 square feet and a LEEDS Certified Facility. The building contains a live fire range, decision-making simulators and a 9-1-1 Dispatch Operator Laboratory. The classroom and office construction are standard steel frame with bar joist roof and metal stud drywall and metal panel exterior walls. The range roof is constructed with 100 ft. clear span double tee precast concrete. The range walls are constructed of 10" thick insulated precast concrete with all panel joints covered with ¼" thick steel plates to prevent projectile penetration. The concrete floor joints are sealed to prevent buildup of gun powder residue and potential fires. Unfortunately, we were not able to fire any weapons in the fire range area.

The Decision-Making Simulation Training includes a Virtra V300 Simulator, TI Training Simulator, Milo Range Pro and Miles System. The simulators are uniquely equipped to train officers to handle the most difficult real-world situations. Real-life incident scenarios are crafted by experts to heavily test the trainee's critical thinking skills, firearms skills and psychological preparations for close quarter combat. Some attendees were able to try out the simulators, and what an eye-opening experience they had. 

Jen Cook, Everest Snow Management, Inc.

James Hess, Cushman & Wakefield

About the Author: Kim DeFily, RPA, is a Portfolio Manager for American Landmark Properties. She serves on the Board of Directors for BOMA/Suburban Chicago and is the Board Liaison for the Emergency Preparedness Committee. She can be reached at k.defily@americanlandmark.com.