MontCo TACTICAL RESPONSE

Montgomery County Aims for One-of-a-Kind Tactical Response Training Center

Construction was recently completed on the new, state-of-the-art Montgomery County Tactical Response Training Center that serves all county law enforcement officers for weapons and anti-terrorism training. The fully indoor, $10.8 million facility designed by Kimmel Bogrette features 15 handgun-firing lanes as well as five rifle ranges that extend to 100 yards. The 27,000-square-foot building includes an office, lobby, classrooms, restrooms, target storage space, as well as control booths from where participants are instructed and monitored for safety practices. To provide some background for designing such a unique facility, architect Jim Bogrette, AIA, visited existing weapons firing facilities of the FBI and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. This extensive research led to the design of an ultra-high-tech structure and infrastructure that correct many of the problems faced by facilities of its kind. Associate Jonathan Trump served as project architect for the new Center. The opening of this facility may lead to the closure of older firing ranges — many that have been accompanied by noise complaints from neighbors.