Important Update on Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola Law Enforcement Complex

Last updated: Feb. 26, 2024

As of Sept. 19, 2023, and until further notice, the Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola Law Enforcement Complex on the Harrisburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is closed.

We realize that this temporary closing is an inconvenience to many. We apologize for this inconvenience. However, the health and safety of our students, employees, visitors and clients are most important.

Please note that all of this information is tentative and subject to change.

 

Reason for the Temporary Closing

The Law Enforcement Complex will temporarily close because:

• The College became aware of a potential issue with the facility based upon comments regarding the efficiency of the range filtration system.
• Instructor testing of blood levels for lead indicated some results above applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) standards.
• These blood tests prompted the College’s immediate engagement of an independent third-party vendor in early September 2023 to evaluate the facility.
• Lead monitoring testing completed on Sept. 6, 2023, by an independent third-party vendor indicated that the sample concentration slightly exceeded the OSHA Action Level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

 

Actions Being Taken to Address this Situation

The following actions have been/will be taken:

• On July 28, 2023, the College worked with an independent third party-vendor to begin offering blood testing to impacted individuals. 
• On Sept. 24, 2023, the College began testing those identified as impacted.
• On Sept. 26, 2023, the College’s firing range was thoroughly cleaned by a local company.
• On Sept. 27, 2023, the College tested for lead in the administrative portion of the Law Enforcement Complex.
• On Sept. 27, 2023, the College installed new filters to the Energy Recovery Systems (ERV) on the roof serving the firing range ventilation system.
• From Oct. 2-4, 2023, a local company repaired and re-balanced the ventilation ductwork.
• As of Oct. 10, 2023, the ventilation system is balanced to meet original engineering specifications.
• On Oct. 17-18, 2023, the administrative portion of the Law Enforcement Complex was cleaned by a local company.
• On Oct. 24, 2023, a local company completed a retest for lead in the Law Enforcement Complex. Based on the results, additional adjustments in the air balancing system are necessary to facilitate optimal operations in the firing range. HACC will engage with appropriate vendors to meet recommended standards.
• On Nov. 1, 2023, a local company cleaned the range ventilation duct to improve air quality.
• On Nov. 2, 2023, the College contracted an engineer to complete computer modeling and smoke tests to assess the condition of the ventilation air flow on the range.
• On Nov. 2, 2023, a local company cleaned the firing range ceiling.
• A local company cleaned the firing range floor with two dry and three wet cleanings on the following dates:
  • Nov. 21, 2023
  • Dec. 7, 2023
  • Dec. 13, 2023
  • Dec. 26, 2023
  • Jan. 3, 2024
• On Dec. 13, 2023, the administrative portion of the Law Enforcement Complex was cleaned by a local company.
• From Dec. 22-28, 2023, a local company repaired ceiling tiles to maintain the integrity of the facility.
• On Jan. 24, 2024, a local company removed carpet and installed tile in various areas.
• Local companies:
  • Inspected and made minor repairs to the backstop and dust collection units within the firing range
  • Repaired the duct delamination within the firing range
  • Will clean the firing range thoroughly
• The College will continue consistent monitoring of filtration air flow systems; range cleaning protocols; and range filtration equipment and lead waste removal.
• Lead, lead cleaning materials, tiles and carpet were disposed of after each cleaning session.

 

Individuals Impacted

Those impacted by this situation include:

• Current and former HACC students
• Current and former HACC employees
• Current and former clients who pay and have paid to use the indoor firing range

In addition to taking measures to ensure our students’ safety, the College is working to identify other firing ranges that can accommodate our students. We want to minimize the disruption to our students’ studies and help them continue to reach their educational goals. They remain our top priority.

Our employees are important to us. Impacted employees will work in other campus locations and/or work from home.

We appreciate the patronage of our clients. They are encouraged to temporarily use other area firing ranges until HACC’s law enforcement complex reopens. We recommend that they search the internet for “firing ranges in Central Pennsylvania” to see the options available to them.

We are communicating with these impacted individuals and organizations and will continue to do so.

 

Testing

Please note that as of Dec. 31, 2023, the College will no longer offer blood testing to impacted individuals.
 

Course Cancellations

As of Oct. 11, 2023, all courses scheduled at the indoor firing range are canceled through July 2024. The courses include the Act 235 Basic, and Recert and Retired Officer Qualifications and Civilian Firearms courses.

Individuals enrolled in a HACC course that will occur during this timeframe will automatically receive a refund to the method that they used to pay for the course.

Those interested in registering for a future course should contact policetrng@hacc.edu.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to serving you in the future.

 

Resources

Resources for you to review are available online:

• Lead - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
• Indoor Firing Range–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Lead Regulations–United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

 

For More Information

If you have any questions or need additional information, please complete and submit this online form:

hacc.edu/Feedback

We are sorry this situation occurred. However, we know that closing the law enforcement complex is the right and moral decision. The health and safety of our students, employees, visitors and partners remain our top priority. When the complex is reopened, we will inform HACC’s stakeholders.

 

Our Gratitude

As always, we will remain honest and transparent throughout this process and provide regular updates via this webpage. We appreciate your patience and grace.

Thank you.