The Alameda County Fire Department marked the start of construction on its new Regional Training Center in Dublin with a groundbreaking ceremony just before Christmas.

Located next to the existing Fire Station 17 on Gleason Drive, officials said in a statement that the future facility will replace ACFD's current spot -- which is more than 50 years old -- with a "safer and more upgraded training center in order to ensure our county firefighters have the ability to prepare for real-life emergency scenarios."

"The possibilities for the training site are endless, including collaborative exercise opportunities with partnering and adjacent agencies, and keeping our members prepared to respond to any incident to protect the communities we serve," Fire Chief William McDonald said.

Firefighters will train on site for various scenarios involving the types of buildings they are likely to encounter in the real world, including climbing multiple flights of stairs, using ladders, cutting into roofs, and going into trenches or underground vaults to simulate rescuing people.

A 7,500-square-foot training building with two classrooms, an office, storage, exercise facilities, restrooms and locker rooms is planned, as well as a 6,500-square-foot, five-story tower.

The tower will have simulation rooms for smoke and burning scenarios, a training control room, roof props, and apparatus bay and cantilevered concrete platforms for repel training.

An urban search and rescue complex with collapsed building and confined spaces props will also be built along with other training props like low and steep roof pitches, horizontal windows, flash over, open field fence, forcible entry, and heavy tanker and rail car props.

The site is also adjacent to the Sheriff’s Regional Training Center, allowing law enforcement to use the rappelling wall and rooms for training officers.

Outgoing Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, is retiring this week from representing District 1 after 24 years of leadership, attended the socially distanced event on Dec. 16.

"I have always been a very proud supporter of our police and firefighters, so being able to secure funding for a state-of-the-art training center for our first responders has been a dream come true. This facility will become a Tri-Valley gem for all to be proud of," Haggerty said.

The Regional Training Center is scheduled to be completed by spring 2022.