STC and city of Pharr celebrate partnership to keep the region safe

South Texas College recently hosted an appreciation luncheon to honor their partnership with the city of Pharr in promoting and growing the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence which is located in the south side of the city.

The center offers numerous training and certificate opportunities to law enforcement agencies throughout the Valley. Trainings that both keep our communities safer and help police, border patrol agents and firefighters advance their careers.

During an appreciation event, STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. extended his appreciation to Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and to the Pharr Public City Works Department staff.

“We’re very grateful to the city of Pharr, with their help, the vision and positive change for the regional training center is being realized, said Solis. “As a community college we’re here to ensure that every community in the RGV feels confident in the services provided by our first responders and most importantly have a sense of safety and security for their families. There will be new opportunities coming to RCPSE in the coming news; we can’t wait.”

As one of STC’s largest partners in education, the city of Pharr has provided the college with funds and manpower to build and improve the regional center since before its establishment.

“We’re always delighted to have a unique facility like this in our city,” he said. “It’s inspirational to hear STC leadership discuss their current vision and how they see the enter evolving,” said Ambrosio. “The city of Pharr believes strongly in the power of education, and therefore we will continue pushing forward to help bring in the resources for the betterment of the campus. We all benefit from what STC provides so it’s only prudent and smart of us to be working together.”

STC Vice President of Information Services, Planning and Strategic Initiatives David C. Plummer, Ph.D., presented an overview of the growth that the training center has seen since its formation in 2018. He detailed its mission to not only continue forming competent cadets, but to aid all law enforcement and firefighters across the region.

“We're here for public safety throughout the region. Whether you're a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, we can facilitate your training,” he said.

Plummer highlighted some of the facility’s high-tech equipment for law enforcement such as a driving simulator, used by cadets to practice different terrain and climate conditions, as well as the shooting and Street Smarts virtual reality simulators, which provide a safe environment for target practice.

For firefighters, he added, RCPSE uses a car fire and FLAIM simulator that allows the students to practice on how put out a fire in a controlled environment.

He also spoke about the short-term projects that are expected to be completed within a year such as a two-story residential house for firefighter and tactical training purposes and a new fire training area.

The new additions to the center are part of a master plan that includes additional academic programs and the construction of more training resources, which would include a shooting range, a five-story training structure, a private parking area and additional buildings for academics and student support.  

“We’ve been working collaboratively with the city of the Pharr and we look forward to our continued efforts in growing the regional center to ensure that we’re providing the best trainings and education we can for the region,” said Sara Lozano, Ph.D., dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology.

For more information on training and programs offered at STC’s RCPSE, visit southtexascollege.edu/rcpse/ or call 956-872-4208.