It's been awhile since law enforcement members could train at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, but agencies from across the state and country are back sharpening their skills.

Whether it's in a mall, on a train or a bus, many first responders want to be prepared for every emergency situation.

Realistic training in stressful scenarios strengthens their abilities to help. Exercises at the State Preparedness Training Center are made to be as realistic as possible.

So, they typically host law enforcement members from all over.

Currently, they're hosting bomb technicians and tactical team members from across the state, including Syracuse, Elmira, Buffalo and Rochester.

"What we're doing is, I would say, the most advanced training I've experienced in my career as a bomb technician, because again, they're having us use our skills in the worst possible environment, so under extreme stress and you have to make the decisions in a very quick manner," said Rochester Police Sergeant Randy Potuck.

People from other states are also taking advantage of the facility.

Bomb technician Ed Delelio came from Illinois.

"We'll be able to take this training and try to facilitate it at our own home agency and integrate it with our own SWAT teams," said Delelio, a member of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.

The class is part of the FBI Tactical Bomb Technician Certification Course. It teaches bomb technicians how to work with tactical teams.

Participants aren't taking the opportunity for granted.

"It feels great. It feels great to be back doing what we should be doing. It's been awesome," Potuck said.

More training events are scheduled, including a UAS summit taking place next month.

The State Preparedness Training Center in Oneida County was typically training about 10,000 law enforcement members a year before the pandemic.