Congresswoman Julia Letlow secures $3.5M for water rescue training facility

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Congresswoman Julia Letlow secured $3.5 million in federal funds for Baton Rouge. The money will help build an advanced indoor water rescue center for first responders.

The funding is part of the FY 2026 transportation bill. Officials said it passed Congress this week and was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Officials said that the new facility will be at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy on Nicholson Drive. It aims to offer specialized training for first responders year-round.

Plans for the facility include a simulation tank and controlled rescue environments. These will let firefighters and emergency personnel train for water rescues and flood emergencies.

“A significant portion of the funding I’ve steered to the Capital Region has focused on public safety and natural disaster preparation. With this new facility, we are investing in quality training for our heroic first responders – and ultimately the safety of Louisianans who often face dangerous flooding,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. “This facility will ensure we have the best-trained first responders in the country, deliver long-term public safety results, and save lives.”