A modernized training facility in London, Ontario, is being developed through a multi-phase project that will help police officers, firefighters and emergency management teams better respond to evolving challenges.

The London Emergency Services Campus will rise over the duration of several years at 3243 Manning Drive. As a joint project between the City of London, London Fire Department and London Police Service, it will support the operational and training needs of first responders, improve regional emergency preparedness and create new spaces for public safety education.

The specific timing of each phase will depend on available funding, design considerations, and collaboration with other levels of government, but the most urgent needs take priority.

Over the next two years, work will begin on a new fire station, the main training building, specialized areas for a provincial HAZMAT response unit, a clean-burn training tower and K9 areas, scenario simulation and indoor and outdoor firing ranges

Following that, plans for 2028 to 2031 include a hands-on public fire safety village for community members of all ages, a fire mechanical bay, fleet and property storage, and a driving track.

“This campus addresses a critical infrastructure gap in firefighter training,” said Chief Lori Hamer of the London Fire Department. “It ensures we can meet and maintain the skillsets for provincial certification requirements, support regional departments and provide safe, effective training environments for our crews.”

Chief Thai Truong of London Police Service also chimed in. “It means purpose-built training facilities, modern scenario simulations and the space we need to prepare our members for the complexities of today’s policing and the evolving demands of tomorrow.”

City staff will now begin finalizing the land use designation for public use, advancing preliminary design work and completing servicing assessments.