DILLEY, Texas \u2013 Just off Interstate 35 in Dilley sits a sprawling training complex designed to prepare first responders for some of the most challenging situations they may face in the field.<\/p>\n
Known as The Ranch, the nearly 300-acre facility provides hands-on training for police officers, SWAT teams, military personnel and security professionals. <\/p>\n
While some courses are open to civilians, owner and operator Chad Timney said the vast majority of training is geared toward armed professionals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ranch is a Tier 1 training facility that\u2019s specifically geared for law enforcement, military and security type applications,\u201d Timney said. \u201cWe have open enrollment courses for civilians, but 90% of our business remains with the armed professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n
The facility features an extensive list of training resources, including an 11,000-square-foot live-fire shoot house, 14 firearm ranges, driving tracks, K-9 training areas, explosive training capabilities, a helicopter landing zone and classrooms.<\/p>\n
Timney said agencies travel from across Texas and around the country to train at the facility.<\/p>\n
He said one of the biggest challenges officers face after graduating from an academy is finding facilities that can provide advanced, realistic training opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hardest thing to do is find a facility where these guys can get this kind of training,\u201d Timney said. \u201cThese kinds of facilities don\u2019t exist.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Timney, The Ranch is the only facility of its kind in Texas and focuses on providing continuous training opportunities, particularly for officers whose agencies may not have the resources to offer specialized instruction.<\/p>\n
During a recent visit, multiple courses were taking place simultaneously. One training session focused on the use of ballistic shields, equipment instructors said is often underutilized despite its potential to improve officer safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s one of the most underutilized tools at police agencies,\u201d one instructor said. \u201cThey kind of sit in the back of the trunk.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal, instructors said, is to build familiarity and confidence through repetition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make them comfortable with it and get them out here running reps with it so they can use it on the streets,\u201d the instructor said.<\/p>\n
Training scenarios at The Ranch range from firearms instruction and tactical driving to vehicle extractions and emergency response exercises.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission here is to increase survivability for everybody that comes through that front gate,\u201d Timney said. \u201cAnd the only way to do that is high repetition, so we\u2019re going to get a lot of reps.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the facility continues to expand its programs, Timney said the focus remains on ensuring officers and first responders are prepared before they face real-world emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really excited about what we\u2019ve built and what we brought here and the community that we\u2019re building,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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