The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) hosted an official ceremony at Pitchess Monday evening to unveil the new Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC) for additional driving training for emergency vehicle operators.

Opened March 21, 2022, the new EVOC is located on the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) property in Castaic north of Santa Clarita. The unveiling included an address from LASD Acting Captain Randy Tuinstra, ribbon-cutting by Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and appearances from a representative of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, L.A. County Public Works Deputy Director of Construction Management Anthony Nyivih, and Congressman Mike Garcia.

The 44.5-acre project, known as the PDC-EVOC, was finished three months ahead of schedule and on-budget according to LASD, even including the relocation of Southern California Edison power lines and various facility power poles. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works handled construction of the project and utilized the design-build-contracting method to save time and money.

The new training facility consists of a vehicle driving/training track, skid pan, new modular office/locker rooms, collision avoidance and pursuit track, track supplies and maintenance items, paved parking area, bioswales and updated landscaping.

This new training facility will act as both an additional and supplemental resource for when the Pomona Fairgrounds, which has been used by the LASD for more than 35 years, is unavailable due to other events such as races, fairs, swap meets, and more. The project was approved by the County Board of Supervisors on February 4, 2020.

Both the EVOC on the Pomona Fairgrounds and the PDC-EVOC provide training in emergency vehicle operations to deputy sheriff trainees enrolled in LASD’s Academy, in addition to ongoing POST mandated emergency vehicle operations training for sworn personnel.

To view the LASD press release or view the 30-minute proceedings click here.

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