The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Commissioner Jackie Bray today announced the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany trained more than 9,500 local, state, and federal public safety professionals from a variety of disciplines and agencies, including law enforcement, the fire service, and emergency management, from across New York State and beyond in 2024. Operated by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Center offered trainings last year that helped prepare these professionals to address current and evolving threats, perform water rescues in a variety of conditions, and grow knowledge in all aspects of emergency response.

"New York is home to a training facility unlike any other and we are proud of the support it provides and the knowledge it instills in those who pass through its doors - or waters," said Commissioner Bray. "DHSES is committed to ensuring New York's safety professionals and first responders have the resources and knowledge they need to keep their communities and themselves safe from harm's way."

The State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) offers state, local and federal agencies an extensive set of training venues and formats. From classroom lectures and discussions to reality- and high-performance scenario-based exercises, the facility offers a full range of dynamic training opportunities. The SPTC offers agencies realistic training environments such as a simulated city, a Swift Water/Flood Rescue facility, collapsed building rubble pile, woodland structures, train cars and other settings. Now in its 18th year of operation, the facility annually trains thousands of New York's public safety partners including, but not limited to, law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and emergency management personnel, in a variety of areas including response to active shooter events, crisis negotiation, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations.

Since the Center opened in 2006, New York State has invested more than $40 million to create a world-class facility for training public safety officials. While training New York's public safety community is the Center's top priority, first responders from across the U.S., Canada and other countries have trained in Oriskany.

In addition to holding numerous courses throughout 2024, the State Preparedness Training Center hosted several, large-scale training events including:

• Canine Week: More than 50 Explosive Detection Canine teams from across the state participated in scenario-based training and a series of challenging skills lanes. View highlights from Canine Week here.
• Tactical Week: 36 tactical team operators from across the state participated in advanced scenarios to test their capabilities. The Colonie Police Department Special Services Team earned the 'top' team award this year.
• Technical Rescue Conference: Nearly 100 first responders attended the conference to conduct rope, water, structural collapse, vehicle rescue and UAS rescue training.
• Raven's Challenge: Nearly 150 bomb technicians and military explosive ordnance device participants from across the nation attended the exercise to learn about current and emerging bomb disposal technologies.
• Excelsior Challenge: One hundred and forty law enforcement officials including Bomb Technicians, Explosive Detection Canine teams, and Tactical Team operators participated in scenario-based training based on the current threat environment. Law enforcement officials from more than 46 different agencies participated in training. View highlights from the Excelsior Challenge here.

In 2025, the State Preparedness Training Center will continue to broaden the types of training provided in Oriskany, as well as the stakeholder groups engaged in these efforts, to ensure New York State is prepared to address the evolving threat environment.

In addition to major events, the Center will host a broad array of courses for public safety officials. Visit the Center's training calendar for more information and a list of upcoming courses.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or visit https://www.dhses.ny.gov.

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