Local Responders Attend Homeland Security Training

According to a press release sent out by Limerick Police Chief Bill Albany, 45 members of the Montgomery County Major Incident Response Team [MIRT] just completed training offered by the Center for Domestic Preparedness [CDP]. The center is located in Anniston, Ala. and is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA].

The release notes that the center is "the only federally-chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation." According to the release:

"Team members received training in protective measures and response actions for incidents involving chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) materials.  Team members from Philadelphia and Delaware County MIRT also participated.  The three days of training culminated at the CDP’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRA). The COBRA is the nation’s only facility featuring civilian training exercises in a true toxic environment using chemical agents. The advanced hands-on training enables responders to effectively prevent, respond to, and recover from real-world incidents involving acts of terrorism and other hazardous materials."

Albany also holds the title of Montgomery County MIRT Chief. He said that participating in CDP training and working in a live nerve agent environment gives MIRT members "the critical skills and confidence to respond effectively to local hazardous materials incidents or potential Weapons of Mass Destruction events."

Information about CDP training programs can be found at http://cdp.dhs.gov.  Visit the “News & Media” tab at the top of the site to download images, share CDP training articles, and find out what others are saying about CDP training.  For more information about the CDP, contact the CDP External Affairs Office, at (256) 847-2212/2316 or e-mail pao@cdpemail.dhs.gov.