North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Guilford Metro 9-1-1 is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open of the Shepherd Training Center at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23, at 1903 Midway St.
“The construction of our training center has been a long time coming,” said Guilford Metro 9-1-1 Director Melanie Jones. “Trainees will experience a more realistic feel of their consoles, similar to what exists in the 9-1-1 center. Mark was instrumental in building out the consoles at each station.”
The center is named in honor of city employee Mark Shepherd, a 31-year veteran and training quality assurance supervisor. The training facility will be used to prepare telecommunicators for the demands of their roles. Using repurposed consoles from the agency’s back-up center, which was disassembled, transported, and reassembled, the new training center mirrors a working dispatch center.
A “strategic use” of resources meant no additional cost to the City, reflecting Shepherd’s commitment to cost-effective solutions.
With the planned integration of AI technology, the site will simulate 9-1-1 calls, offering immediate feedback, fostering a high level of preparedness and adherence to protocols among trainees. The facility marks a significant enhancement to Guilford Metro 9-1-1’s Rookie Academy, ensuring trainees gain an understanding of what to expect in the field.
