NCJ Number
193757
Date Published
October 2001
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This document describes the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and its members.
Abstract
The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) is a partnership of several nationally recognized public universities and the United States Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Energy (DOE). The NDPC, established by mutual agreement in June 1998, provides expertise and training to the State and local emergency management response community. Its mission is to assist State and local jurisdictions and emergency response personnel to better prepare for, and respond to, incidents of domestic terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD). One of its members, Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), provides a unique environment and opportunity to offer specialized advanced training to State and local emergency responders in the management and remediation of incidents of domestic terrorism, especially those involving chemical agents and other toxic substances. CDP also manages the Chemical Defense Training Facility where individuals can be trained in a contaminated environment using “live agents” or actual toxic substances. Another member is the Nevada Test Site (NTS), which has been a national asset for strategic efforts in national defense for over 40 years. NTS plays an important role in the mission of preparing emergency response agencies to respond to the possible terrorist use of WMD. The NTS’ National Center for Exercise Excellence (NCEE) conducts complex, multi-level tests, training, exercises, and research activities related to radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Another member of the consortium is the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT), which is a recognized leader in science and engineering education and a center for research involving energetic materials and countermeasures for deterring explosives attacks. Louisiana State University has established the Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education to develop and provide a comprehensive program for emergency responder education and training on the detection, prevention, and response to WMD terrorist incidents. The National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center was established by the Texas A & M University to develop and deliver Responder Training Programs.