College Invests in First Responder Programs

St. Petersburg College is investing in the future of workforce education through major upgrades to its public safety training facilities. As part of the planned sale of the Allstate Center main building and a broader campus modernization effort, the College is creating modern training environments that better prepare first responders and meet the evolving needs of communities across Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region.

A new public safety training facility is under construction at the newly named Public Safety Training Center, replacing the recently sold main building of the Allstate Center. The facility will serve as a centralized hub for classroom instruction and hands-on training for SPC's law enforcement, firefighter and emergency medical programs.

The project builds on recent investments in public safety training, including a renovated $2.5 million indoor firing range with 32 training stations and a joint-use, state-approved driving facility developed in partnership with Pinellas County. The driving pad was funded through a $1.5 million investment from SPC and $6 million from Pinellas County, expanding regional training capacity.

"The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office values its partnership with SPC to construct a new training facility specifically for driving," said Jennifer S. Crockett, CPM, Director of Public Relations for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "This facility supports public safety agencies throughout Pinellas County by providing a safe, controlled environment for everything from foundational driver training to advanced emergency response techniques. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SPC."

State investments strengthen public safety training

Recent state funding is helping SPC further expand first responder education. During the 2026 legislative session, the College received funding to enhance its Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders and Law Enforcement Field Training Equipment and Support initiatives. These investments will expand Florida's first academic mental health certificate for first responders while adding advanced simulation technology and immersive training focused on de-escalation, crisis response and mental health awareness. Together, the projects will strengthen training for more than 4,400 public safety students annually and support law enforcement, fire, EMS and dispatch professionals across Florida.

"These programs directly support the safety, infrastructure and well-being of our region," said Michael DiBuono, Public Safety Program Director at SPC. "By investing in modern facilities and aligning programs with industry needs, we are creating stronger pathways to careers while serving our community better."

College leaders say the investments reflect SPC's long-term commitment to expanding workforce education.

"This transition represents an important investment in the future of workforce education at SPC," said Belinthia Berry, Dean of Workforce Development. "By modernizing our facilities and expanding training opportunities, we're ensuring students are prepared for in-demand careers while meeting the evolving needs of employers and public service agencies."

Program transitions support future growth

As part of the campus transition, the lineworker program will relocate to the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, and the EMT and Paramedic programs will move there as well. Students will train in a renovated facility featuring an immersive simulation lab, upgraded classroom technology and a simulated indoor ambulance.

The Paramedic program relocated to the Allstate Center in 2018 as enrollment grew from about 20 to more than 60 students annually. Since then, more than 200 students have completed the program there while participating in interdisciplinary mass-casualty exercises alongside SPC's Law Enforcement Academy, providing realistic, team-based training for future first responders.

SPC Public Safety Training by the Numbers

SPC serves as a regional hub for public safety education, preparing thousands of students and professionals each year. During the 2024-25 academic year, more than 4,400 students participated in public safety and workforce programs, including local law enforcement officers as well as federal, state and military personnel. The College also offers more than 250 specialized training sessions annually supporting certification, advanced instruction and professional development.

In 2025, SPC hosted a national nuclear response team at its simulation house: one of only five such facilities in the world. The highly realistic training environment prepares responders for active shooter incidents, disaster responses and other critical emergencies.

Building on the Allstate Center legacy

The Allstate Center's transformation marks the next chapter in a facility that has served workforce and public safety education for more than 30 years. In 1988, Allstate Insurance Company donated its former regional office to St. Petersburg Junior College. Valued at more than $11 million, it was the largest property donation ever made to a Florida institution of higher education and, at the time, the largest ever made to a U.S. community college.

Following renovations, the Allstate Center opened in 1991 as the home of SPC's public safety academies, grant-funded initiatives and in-service training for first responders. Thousands of professionals have trained there before serving communities throughout the region.

As SPC approaches its 100th anniversary, these investments in the Public Safety Training Center continue that legacy by creating modern training environments that prepare students for meaningful careers while strengthening public safety across the region.