About Us

LCARTA (Lake County Advanced Response Training Academy) serves governmental, multi-state and private agencies. Its cutting-edge training benefits the health, safety and welfare of the public.

First class training effectively prepares our first responders to save lives. We can’t do it without the partnership of private and public donations. We cannot do it without you.

Commitment to Excellence

Great Lakes Disaster Training Foundation, Inc. (GLDTF) was founded in November 2004 by a group
of dedicated citizens with a goal of providing a multi-discipline training site for first responders in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin regions.

Lake County Advanced Response Training Academy (LCARTA), is located along Russell Road in Newport Township, and will include state-of-the-art facilities for the coordinated training of Fire, Police, Public Works, Utilities and Corporations.

The site currently includes training facilities for trench, collapsed buildings, extrication from vehicles and machinery, firefighter training, confined space, ropes and rigging. 

Preparing first responders for the unexpected

Public Private Partnerships

By working in partnership through the Foundation, public and private entities can fund simulations of real-life training experiences for our public and private first responders and safety personnel, in a controlled environment before an emergency has occurred. This facility will serve governmental, multi-state and private agencies. Its cutting-edge training will benefit the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Top-notch training will effectively prepare our first responders to save lives. We can’t do it without the partnership of private and public funds. We cannot do it without you.

$ 100

Zero financial burden to Lake County, Illinois taxpayers for capital improvements. No change in the budget requirements and budget lines for Lake County, Illinois. Improving property at no cost to Lake County, Illinois.

Executive Director - LCARTA Site

Robert Grum

847.309.9460
lffd204@ameritech.net

Board of Directors

  • Howard B Simpson

    President

  • Fred G. Wacker

    Vice President

  • Lia

    Secretary

  • Stephen Uihlein

    Treasurer

  • TBD

    Director

  • Howard J. Polk

    Director

Donors

Chiefs

  • Belli & Belli Architects
  • Howard & Martha Simpson
  • State of Illinois
  • Stephen E. Uihlein

Captains

  • EBR Foundation

Lieutenants

  • Campanella & Sons
  • Discover Financial Services
  • Polk Bros. Foundation

Sergeants

  • Jessie Jones
  • Newport Township Public Safety Foundation
  • Osmonds
  • Tempel Steel Company

Paramedics

  • David A. Baker

Fire Fighters

  • Fred I. Feinstein