Where to get WMD training

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WMD and Bomb Disposal Issues with Shawn Hughes

First off, faithful readers will recall that I have been warning that the NFPA, a private company that makes its living telling firefighters what to do, has been extending its tentacles into the WMD and Bomb arena.

I have been wondering exactly how the NFPA's suggestions, which normally only carry the force of law when 'adopted' by a governmental organization, would seep their way into our world. Well, in an email today, I found out. The FY04 Homeland Security Grant Application states:

"Grant recipients must purchase:
1) protective ensembles for chemical and biological terrorism incidents that are certified as compliant with Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994, Protective Ensembles for Chemical/Biological Terrorism Incidents;

2) protective ensembles for hazardous materials emergencies that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1991,Standard on Vapor Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, including the chemical and biological terrorism protection;

3) protective ensembles for search and rescue or search and recovery operations where there is no exposure to chemical or biological warfare or terrorism agents and where exposure to flame and heat is unlikely or nonexistent that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensemble for USAR Operations; and,

4) protective clothing from blood and body fluid pathogens for persons providing treatment to victims after decontamination that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations."

So, with this step, a group which doesn't understand the difference between a low and a high explosive is now accepted into the WMD arena.

I haven't had a chance to completely read and absorb this document, but being a veteran grantwriter, and glossing over the packet, this has GOT to be the widest net ever cast by a grant I have seen. The list of things you can't purchase is smaller than the can list. This is a significant departure from the norm, as is the specific wording at the beginning limiting how much the states can take of the top for administrative costs.

On another front, I have been following a developing situation concerning the Bomb Technician community in Pennsylvania. While I am unsure about how much can be currently discussed due to the pending lawsuit, I am sure that the outcome of this case will dictate how local Hazardous Devices Units will interface with their Federal Special Agent Bomb Technicians. If you haven't heard about what I am referring to, use your networking skills and support your local Bomb Tech.

Finally, every month, I get a number of emails looking for WMD training. Below is a partial list of what's available. If you locate something of interest, plug it into Google (www.google.com), and a list of places that can help you obtain the course will follow. If you are trying to find something specific, you can always still email me.

AWARENESS LEVEL COURSES
Course Number     Course Name    Training Location     Training Provider AWR-110     Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (Internet) Local TEEX AWR-111     Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Basic Concepts for WMD Incidents (Internet) Local TEEX AWR-112     Public Works: Basic Concepts for WMD Incidents (Internet) Local TEEX AWR-120     Law Enforcement Response to WMD - Awareness Local LSU AWR-121     Law Enforcement Response to WMD - Awareness (Train-the-Trainer) Local LSU AWR-130     Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings - Awareness Local NMT AWR-140     WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness Local NTS AWR-141     WMD Radiological/Nuclear Awareness (Train-the-Trainer) Local NTS AWR-WY10     Terrorism Indicators and Response for Communications Local WLEA

PERFORMANCE LEVEL COURSES
Course Number     Course Name    Training Location     Training Provider PER-210     Public Works: Planning for and Responding to a Terrorism/WMD Incident Local TEEX PER-211     Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations and Planning for WMD Local TEEX PER-220     Emergency Response to Domestic Biological Incidents - Operations Level Local LSU PER-221     WMD Tactical Operations - Technician Level Local LSU PER-222 Public Safety Response - Sampling Techniques and Guidelines Local LSU PER-224     Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) - Operations Level Local LSU PER-225     Law Enforcement Response to WMD - Operations Level (Train-the-Trainer) Local LSU PER-230     Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings - Operations (Train-the-Trainer) Sorcorro, NM NMT PER-240     WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations Course Local NTS PER-241     WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for HazMat Technicians Nevada Test Site NTS PER-242     WMD Exercise Development Course Mobile Training Team Local NTS PER-260     WMD Technical Emergency Response Training Course (Live Agent) Anniston, AL CDP PER-261     WMD Hazardous Materials Technician Training Course (Live Agent) Anniston, AL CDP PER-263     WMD Hazardous Materials Technician Sustainment (HTS) Anniston, AL CDP

Planning/Management
Course Number     Course Name    Training Location     Training Provider MGT-310     WMD:Threat and Risk Assessment Local Jurisdiction TEEX MGT-311     Mayoral Institute for WMD/Terrorism Incident Preparedness Local Jurisdiction TEEX MGT-312     Senior Officials Workshop for WMD/Terrorism Incident Preparedness Local Jurisdiction TEEX MGT-313    Incident Management/Unified Command for WMD/Terrorism Incidents Local Jurisdiction TEEX MGT-360     WMD Incident Command Training (Live Agent) Anniston, AL CDP MGT-361     WMD Hands-On Training (HOT) (Live Agent) Anniston, AL CDP

You can also call the Office of Domestic Preparedness at (800) 368-6498.

Until next time;
-- Shawn

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