Located in Merrill, Wisconsin, NTC’s Public Safety Center of Excellence (PSCOE) is the region’s premier training facility for local, state and federal training. The Public Safety Center of Excellence offers 24/7, all hazards, all weather advanced training in a technically integrated and realistic environment.
The 40-acre site is located 20 minutes north of the NTC Wausau campus on the edge of the City of Merrill, an area rich with a natural environment suitable for multiple uses including water rescue and rural wilderness training.
Types of Training Offered
We are proud to provide professional training and continuing education for America’s heroes — public safety professionals representing law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS).
All courses and programs offered through the School of Public Safety are certified to state and/or national standards.
Explore the Facilities
From classroom spaces outfitted with the latest technology to real-life training apparatus, including a Tactical Safety Range and Emergency Village, the Public Safety Center of Excellence offers a wide array of hands-on training facilities that prepare public safety professionals for the worst in the best simulated environment for learning.
Get an up close look at our state-of-the-art facilities by watching the drone tour video or exploring the individual training locations below.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Facility
Community Safety Simulation Center
The Community Safety Simulation Center is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to enhancing emergency preparedness and crisis response training for schools, faith-based organizations, health care providers and community members.
Railroad Crossing and Railcar Training Area
Railroad crossing with railcars to enhance a response to a railcar derailment, hazmat spill and much more.
Trench Rescue Training
The trench rescue prop simulates conditions that may exist when construction of water and sewer lines is taking place. Students are given the opportunity to develop trench rescue shoring skills in a controlled environment.
Collapsed Venues for Search & Rescue and K9 Training
A real world building collapse prop to train emergency responders in search and rescue, recovery, and incident investigations.
Two-Lane Roadway With DOT Signage, Centerline and Fog Line
Roadway used for emergency responses and traffic incident management training.
Wilderness Campsite
Realistic campsite area to teach law enforcement approach to campsite criminal incidents, firefighters' response to campfire situations and EMS response to medical and traumatic injuries encountered at a campsite.
Air Medical Landing Zone Training Site and Roundabout
Area used for air medical landing zone preparation and patient loading evolutions.
Fire Splash Tower
Fire splash tower used for firefighter ladder evolutions and tactical rope use during tactical courses.
Vehicle Extrication Pad and Downed Power Lines Simulator
Location to perform vehicle extrication training and downed power line response.
LP Burn Simulators for Fire Training
Five different gas props to aid firefighter classes in fire response training. Including a vehicle fire, dumpster fire, gas grill fire, LP tank fire, and fire extinguisher training.
4-Story Certified Burn Tower With Rope Rappelling Capabilities
Certified four story burn tower capable of live fire training for firefighter training, patient extrication for EMS, building clearing for law enforcement, and rope repelling/rescue for all hazards.
Emergency Village for Urban Simulation Trainings
Urban Street training businesses and houses that include props and furniture to simulate real-life scenarios.
EVOC Skid Pad and Defensive Driving Area
Three acre skid pad used for EVOC courses in defensive driving operations.
State-Of-The-Art Control Tower and Technology Center With Briefing Room and Classroom
State of the art incident control tower and tactical operations facility, including camera, sound, and lighting controls throughout the facility. Briefing room for instruction including a SMART board to playback scenarios and evolutions.
Natural Gas Leak Detection Field
The leak detection field is used to train public service utility employees in the detection of gas leaks.
DOT Regulated Traffic Standards
DOT regulated traffic control lights with instructor controls of the light rotations.
Tactical Safety Range
Eleven lane shooting range, that accommodates both rifle and handgun. In addition the facility has a classroom, and weapon cleaning room.
Classroom Location With Two Classrooms
Main classroom facility includes two state-of-the-art classrooms (one with video broadcasting capability), a student break room and a three-stall apparatus bay that houses emergency response vehicles.
Reserve Training Facilities
Contact the School of Public Safety
Your request is important to us. If you’d like more information on the Public Safety Center of Excellence, available courses and certification opportunities or customized public safety training available, or if you have other questions, please contact us and someone from the School of Public Safety will follow up with you.
Phone: 715.348.7205
Email: PSCOE@ntc.edu
Address: 1603 Champagne St., Merrill, WI 54452