Emergency Vehicle Operations Center Ribbon Cutting - Otay Mesa Grand opening of a new training facility for first responders.

Sheriff Bill Gore is pleased to announce the grand opening of a new training facility for first responders in the South Bay. A ribbon cutting for the Sheriff's Emergency Vehicle Operations Center was held on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7361 Otay Mesa Road, San Diego.

Remarks were delivered by Undersheriff Kelly Martinez, County Supervisor Nora Vargas, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit and Miramar College President P. Wesley Lundburg, PhD.

The EVOC is the first facility of its kind in the region, and will provide immersive education and continued professional training for future and current deputies, police officers, firefighters, as well as ambulance and public works drivers.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will operate the facility Monday through Friday with some weekends.

Construction on the $32.4 million project began in Oct. 2020, creating nearly 300 jobs.

The City of San Diego and Miramar College each gave $5 million to the project California mandates training for first responders who operate emergency vehicles.

This 40-acre facility features three venues to meet required state standards:

* A track for training on how to quickly and safely respond to emergency calls

* An area to simulate driving and parking in a city block environment

* A skills pad for practicing quick lane changes, controlled braking, evasive maneuvering and driving in reverse

The EVOC can also be used for teen driving safety programs.

First responders spend more time driving than any other task. Sheriff Gore's office said the EVOC will continue to meet training needs to provide the best public safety services to the people they are sworn to serve and protect.