NCJ Number
203958
Journal
Sheriff Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2004 Pages: 22-24
Date Published
January 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the testing of a new homeland security training program offered through a joint effort of the Federal Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA).
Abstract
The Pineal County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona was chosen as the site for the pilot training program because of its sprawling size and rural setting, which may place this area at a higher risk for terrorist attacks. In 2001, Pineal County participated in the first of three pilot training programs, and in 2003 underwent the second pilot training program entitled, “Community Involvement and Partnership Training.” Those attending the pilot training course included local business leaders, religious leaders, local academics and professionals, law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency responders. The goal of the training was to help community members to: (1) identify potential local targets; (2) assess the level of threat to those targets; (3) determine what resources are necessary to lower the threat; (4) plan how to obtain those resources; and (5) develop quick reference guides for the local public. Five training models were presented in the morning, followed by incident-management teams in the afternoon, in which participants worked together to solve a terrorist-related scenario in their community. An evaluation of the pilot training program indicated that the participants thought the training program should be better advertised to local communities, but that, in general, the training was effective in engaging the community to begin building a local terrorism defense plan. The NSA intends to offer 30 “Community Involvement and Partnership Training” sessions during 2004.