Anniston, AL — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has officially opened a new student training and intake center at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, expanding facilities used to train emergency responders from across the country.
Officials from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the facility, which is located within the CDP’s Advanced Responder Training Complex.
The new building includes classroom space, an area designed to process arriving students before training and space where participants can gather with other responders. CDP training and education personnel will also work from the facility.
Federal officials said the project is intended to support training for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders preparing for a range of disasters and mass-casualty incidents. Training at the Anniston center includes preparation for incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards.
Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh said the facility represents a federal investment in training and resources for first responders. He said strengthening the CDP is intended to improve responders’ preparation for emergencies in communities throughout the country.
FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton said facilities at the Anniston campus are designed to help local responders develop the skills and capabilities needed to reduce risks and respond to emergencies and disasters.
The CDP provides advanced, all-hazards training in areas including law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, emergency management, hazardous materials, healthcare, public health and search and rescue. State, local, tribal and territorial responders are eligible for federally funded resident training at the Anniston campus.
Located at the former Fort McClellan, the Center for Domestic Preparedness has operated in Anniston since 1998. The center currently trains approximately 60,000 responders annually, with participants coming from all 50 states and U.S. territories as well as other countries.
The new student training and intake center adds to the specialized facilities already located on the CDP campus as the center continues its national emergency preparedness training mission.
