Operating Engineers Local 701 made its 87-acre training facility available last month to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department for its Crisis Negotiations Team to train. The Team deploys with SWAT on calls, and one of its responsibilities is to operate armored vehicles. The training — which took place at the Mark Holliday Operating Engineers Training Center in Canby — was to familiarize them with operating in a variety of terrains and to teach them how to pull their own vehicles out when stuck. Local 701 heavy equipment operators were standing by in case they needed a little extra help … and they did.
Last year, the Clackamas County K-9 Unit used the facility for training. Clackamas County Search & Rescue also has expressed interest. Local 701 Business Manager Jimbo Anderson said fire, police, or special rescue departments from any jurisdiction are welcome to use the facility for any training they need to do, at no charge.
“After all, it’s all about public safety,” Anderson said.
