MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Leaders from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency joined in Anniston on Monday to officially open a new student training and in-processing center at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.
The new facility at the Advanced Responder Training Complex in Anniston will be a place to train a diverse array of emergency responders in how to respond to mass casualty incidents, including ones related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive materials.
In addition to providing classroom and in-processing space, the new building will house training and education staff.
DHS Under Secretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh said strengthening the CDP ensures responders are better equipped to protect the American people in the event of an emergency.
“The men and women who respond first when disaster strikes deserve the very best training and resources we can provide,” 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.”
The Anniston facility has trained more than 1.5 million emergency responders since opening in 1998, with around 60,000 participants per year.
“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.”