Central Piedmont is proud to share more about an important initiative that will enhance our college’s impact and the safety of our broader community. The Community Lifeline, a partnership between Central Piedmont and Mecklenburg County, is a transformative effort to improve our region’s emergency response training and workforce development. 

Addressing a Critical Regional Need

As Mecklenburg County continues to grow, so does the need for highly trained first responders. The Community Lifeline will provide essential training to ensure our region is prepared for everyday emergencies and large-scale incidents. Today, many of our first responders travel outside the county for their required in-service continuing education and training.

First Class Programs and Facility

Located at our Levine Campus in Matthews, N.C., the facility will offer a safe and controlled environment for hands-on learning and continuing education for first responders. Here are some highlights of the new facility:

• Real-world training spaces, such as a simulated home, convenience store, fire building, and vehicle accident scenarios.
• Cutting-edge technology, including virtual reality (VR) simulations, drone training, and high-tech medical crisis labs.
• Emergency vehicle driving courses to improve safety and response times.
• Cross-agency training programs, allowing emergency response personnel to train together.
• Mental health and conflict resolution training, teaching first responders how to handle high-stress situations with care and professionalism.
• Physical ability testing spaces and an indoor firing range for training.

This initiative reinforces Central Piedmont’s role as a leader in workforce development while enhancing partnerships with emergency response agencies. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of our community while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Your Safety Is a Priority

Safety on our campuses remains a top priority. The emergency vehicle training course will be located to the southwest of our current campus footprint on the other side of CPCC Lane. The larger public safety training facility will be located across Campus Ridge Road and will require specific credentials to enter, as it will be a secure and controlled environment for specific training. All activities will be carefully monitored to provide a professional and safe learning experience.

Learn More

The Community Lifeline is an important investment in our future and the safety of our community. To explore more details about the project, visit the Community Lifeline Initiative.

We are proud to offer opportunities that make a real difference. Thank you for being part of the Central Piedmont community.