TEEX Unveils New Public Service Training Complex at Texas A&M-RELLIS

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) officially opened its new Public Service Training Complex with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, May 11, at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus in Bryan.

Located south of A&M-RELLIS campus, the 86-acre, $27.3 million complex expands TEEX’s capacity to train public safety professionals and critical infrastructure personnel who serve communities across Texas. The facility includes an urban grid simulating a city environment, a drive track for emergency and commercial vehicle training, and upgraded classrooms and laboratory spaces. Trainees will experience realistic scenarios similar to what they will face every day in fields such as law enforcement, public works, fire and emergency services.

The TEEX Lineworker Academy and Central Texas Police Academy have relocated operations to the new complex, consolidating programs previously spread across the A&M-RELLIS campus into a centralized training environment.

“The Public Service Training Complex will serve future generations of students, improve emergency response around the state, and strengthen the core of our Texas communities,” said TEEX Director David Coatney. “The Public Service Training Complex reflects TEEX’s continued investment in workforce development, emergency preparedness and public safety training. The facility was designed to support integrated, real-world training scenarios that prepare personnel from multiple disciplines to respond together in the field.”

Speakers from the ribbon-cutting ceremony cut the ribbon while a planned explosion erupts behind them.
Left to Right: Executive Director of Texas A&M-RELLIS John Barton, TEEX Deputy Agency Director Tony Crites, TEEX Division Director Bill Long, TEEX Agency Director David Coatney, Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar, Texas Representative Paul Dyson, TEEX Deputy Agency Director Tracy Foster, Former A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, TEEX Associate Agency Director Christina Foley, and TEEX Division Director Chris Gable
Speakers from the ribbon-cutting ceremony gig'em pose.
Left to Right: TEEX Deputy Agency Director Tony Crites, Texas Representative Paul Dyson, Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar, Former A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, TEEX Agency Director David Coatney, TEEX Assistant Agency Director Christina Foley, and TEEX Deputy Agency Director Tracy Foster

“This facility is a signal of what the Texas A&M System is built to do,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “We invest in things that matter—in this case, training that saves lives. It gives TEEX the platform to raise the standard and build the next generation of the workforce Texas depends on, resulting in better-trained responders, stronger communities, and lives protected.”

Texas Representative Paul Dyson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the facility’s role in statewide preparedness. “A real-world emergency is no place for a first rehearsal,” Dyson said. “By creating these realistic environments, we are giving our heroes a place to sharpen their instincts and master their craft. We aren’t just hoping for a safer Texas; we are building it through an investment in an elite talent pool that will power our economy for generations.” The representative’s comments underscored the critical link between specialized training and the long-term resilience of the Texas workforce.

Attendees participated in interactive demonstrations, including emergency vehicle operations experiences, heavy equipment operator simulator demos, explanations of electric power training props, water and wastewater training equipment demos, and public safety vehicles used in TEEX training programs.

TEEX employees gathered in celebration of the opening of the Public Service Training Complex.
TEEXans are celebrating the opening of the Public Service Training Complex.
emergency vehicle driving on the newly opened drive track at the public service training complex.
TEEX employees took attendees for a drive around the newly opened drive track during the Public Service Training Complex Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Employees demonstrate how to use the heavy equipment simulator.
A heavy equipment simulator demonstration was set up for attendees to test during the Public Service Training Complex Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony