FEMA opens new Alabama training center for emergency responders

Officials said the facility will bolster hands-on training for responders preparing for mass casualty incidents and hazardous materials emergencies nationwide.

(Left) Chris Chesney, acting superintendent of the Center for Domestic Preparedness; Thom Layou from FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate; FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton; Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh (Center), DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Management Erin Hoffman; Col. Kelcey Shaw from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Rodney Singleton, director of Business Operations for the CDP (Right), take part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Center for Domestic Preparedness New Student Training and Intake Center.
(Left) Chris Chesney, acting superintendent of the Center for Domestic Preparedness; Thom Layou from FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate; FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton; Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh (Center), DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Management Erin Hoffman; Col. Kelcey Shaw from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Rodney Singleton, director of Business Operations for the CDP (Right), take part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Center for Domestic Preparedness New Student Training and Intake Center.Jennifer Bacchus/FEMA

On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency officially opened its new student training and intake center at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.

Officials from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility, which will provide local emergency responders with the resources needed to respond to mass casualty incidents, including those involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive materials.

“The men and women who respond first when disaster strikes deserve the very best training and resources we can provide,” Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh said. “This new facility represents an investment by President Trump in America’s first responders, in the communities they serve, and in our nation’s ability to respond when it matters most. By strengthening the Center for Domestic Preparedness, we are ensuring responders across the country are better equipped, better trained, and ready to protect the American people.”

The building, located at the CDP’s Advanced Responder Training Complex, includes classroom space and a large area “where students can be in-processed before training and gather with fellow responders.” The facility will also house CDP training and education staff.

“The Center for Domestic Preparedness is committed to training the best for the worst. Facilities like these reflect the importance of empowering and enabling local responders to protect their communities,” FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton said. “By investing in these facilities, state, local, tribal and territorial governments can ensure they have the skills needed to reduce risk and build their capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters.”

The CDP has trained over 1.5 million emergency responders since opening in 1998, with approximately 60,000 responders from state, local, tribal and territorial governments participating in CDP training annually.

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