Western Piedmont Community College Breaks Ground at the Grand Opening of the new Emergency Services Training Center

On September 11th, Western Piedmont Community College broke ground at 901 Vine Arden Road for the new Emergency Services Training Center (ESTC). The ESTC will centralize fire, flood, swift water and wilderness rescue training in a natural, safe and controllable setting on the Catawba River. Countless first responders will receive training coordinated by WPCC and local agencies.

WPCC received $15M in state funding to construct Fire Services facilities and training elements. The land secured was 40 partially wooded acres in the City of Morganton along the Catawba River. WPCC selected Morris Berg Architects, Merrick & Company and Vannoy Construction to design and build the project. The swift water training center is on hold until the college receives more funding.  

“My aspirations are to encourage our local & regional stakeholders to take advantage of this unique training facility as we continue to expand our training programs in order to meet the growing demands of a rapidly growing community,” WPCC Director of Fire and Emergency Services Trey Smith said. “My vision is to begin offering not only night courses for our volunteer firefighters but begin also offering daytime courses for not only public safety students but to expand our programs for industrial safety training as well.”  

The construction of the facility is expected to be complete by summer 2026.