NEAR SAN LUIS OBISPO -- A highly specialized program designed to increase public safety is on the chopping block.
Its headquarters are at Camp San Luis Obispo and its closure would be a big hit to the local economy.
Emergency managers, law enforcement officers and fire investigators come to Camp San Luis Obispo to learn life-saving techniques and procedures.
"It's one of a kind -- you don't get this anywhere else in the state of California," said Col. Bill Hatch, director of the California Specialized Training Institute.
The institute offers nearly 70 courses in emergency management, criminal justice and hazardous materials.
It has trained 500,000 people over the last 40 years, but 2012 could be its last because the program is not funded in the governor's latest budget.
"It's really critical for cities and counties to get their police officers to this kind of training because of liability issues in case there's an unfortunate incident of an officer shooting," said Col. Hatch.
On Wednesday, students learned shooting techniques at the range and spent time in a warehouse, learning how to safely search for an armed suspect.
"They have a big warehouse back on base, has a lot different rooms set up to help us learn how to clear a room safely -- low light situations -- they teach you all that stuff that you can't just learn in an open field," said Deputy Jesse Bertoldo, a member of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.
The director says if it closes, it would be a big loss for future students and a big loss for the Central Coast -- about $5 million annually to the local economy.
"It will have an impact on our local hotels and they thrive on the business we bring here," said Col. Hatch.
If the California Specialized Training Institute is forced to shut down at the end of the year, its 23 full-time employees would be out of work.
The director says he will work with Central Coast legislators to keep it open.
