Expanding Public Safety Training in Chicago: EMS Addition Project Progresses at Joint Campus

Project Overview: A Modern Facility for Real-World Emergency Training

Path Construction is making strong progress on the EMS Addition Project at Chicago’s Joint Public Safety Training Campus, a state-of-the-art hub for first responder education. This new 53,000-square-foot, three-story building is being constructed on the south end of the site to meet the evolving training needs of EMS, police, fire, and other public safety agencies.

Designed for realism and flexibility, the facility will include:

  • 18 modern classrooms
  • Dedicated office space
  • Realistic simulation environments, including a mock apartment, bar, and alley

This expansion will significantly enhance the campus’s ability to host larger class sizes and provide scenario-based instruction for recruits and professionals alike.

Current Construction Progress on Site

The Path Construction team has successfully completed:

  • Caisson installation and foundation work
  • Nearly finished vertical stairwell shear walls

Next on the schedule:

  • Underground mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems
  • Structural steel erection

These milestones reflect the project’s steady momentum and keep it firmly on track for timely delivery.

A Phased Approach to Maintain Active Training

Construction is being carefully phased to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing training at the campus. Crews are staging work and traffic flow to keep current facilities fully operational. Integration of the new addition with the existing campus includes:

  • Select exterior wall restoration
  • Roofing tie-ins to blend old and new structures seamlessly

This approach balances construction progress with operational continuity, critical for a 24/7 training environment.

Built for Sustainability: Targeting LEED Silver Certification

The EMS Addition is being constructed with sustainability at the forefront. Path Construction and its partners are targeting LEED Silver certification by incorporating:

  • Energy-efficient design strategies
  • On-site recycling and waste reduction
  • Sustainable building materials

These efforts reduce the project’s environmental footprint while delivering a resilient, forward-thinking public safety training facility.

Community Investment Through Local Hiring

Led by the Public Building Commission, this project is also a driver of local economic development. Emphasizing:

  • Local hiring goals
  • Active participation of community-based contractors

This ensures the EMS Addition creates value not only through public service, but also by supporting job creation and skill development within the surrounding communities.

Looking Ahead: A Lasting Asset for Chicago’s Safety Infrastructure

As structural work accelerates, the EMS Addition Project is quickly becoming a reality. Once complete, this facility will be a cornerstone of Chicago’s emergency training infrastructure, helping prepare the next generation of public safety professionals with the tools, spaces, and scenarios they need to succeed.

Path Construction is proud to lead this important project, aligning with our mission to build smarter, safer, and stronger public spaces.