When the State of New York – Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services designed and constructed the Swift Water Flood Training Center for its first responders, they incorporated HydroTurf® because of its exceptional performance in extreme hydraulic conditions. 

Flooding can occur during any season and it is the largest natural threat to homes, families and businesses in New York State. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to training New York’s Police, Fire and EMS responders on the technical skills necessary to perform water rescues. It is the only training facility of its kind and is located at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, New York. 

The center includes a three-acre lake that is lined with HydroTurf CS and holds 2.6 million gallons of water. During training sessions, the facility is able to pump 100,000 gallons of water per minute into the swift water channel and the urban flood simulator from the lake. HydroTurf is especially effective in controlling erosion that could occur from waves created by practice boats and fluctuating water levels.

The facility also includes an urban simulator which allows first responders to train in flooded streets and buildings. The urban flood simulator features HydroTurf® Z in the streetscape and around the buildings to simulate natural grass. HydroTurf allows for quick drying and eliminates the erosion that natural vegetation would experience with repeated flooding events. Furthermore, HydroTurf eliminates maintenance such as mowing and seeding. 

According to New York Governor Cuomo’s Office, there are 100,000 firefighters in 1,800 departments and 66,500 police officers in 580 departments across New York that can use this facility to perform rescue operations in swift water or flooding scenarios, including: motorists stranded or trapped by rising flood waters; individuals trapped in swift water conditions; and individuals trapped inside, or on the roof of a flooded building.