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First responders take course on WMD
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Posted on Jul 06 2004
Several emergency responders are currently taking part in a three-day course aimed at teaching them how to handle terrorist threats.
According to instructor Carlos Perez of the Texas A & M University, the purpose of the workshop is to provide a good understanding of what knowledge is needed by the local first responders “in order to deal with today’s threat from terrorists.”
Perez, who was accompanied by fellow university instructors Tony Garcia and Joe Weston, said that among the course’s topics are chemical and biological agents that may be used as weapons, explosives, radiation, nuclear weapons, decontamination, and interaction between the community and the hospital, among others.
“We address either chemicals or agents that we know have been weaponized by terrorists. We discuss how they might use it, what the effects would be if they use it, and what they should know about signs or symptoms and how to protect themselves,” he said.
The program is headed by the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security. The office selected the university to deliver the program.
“It’s a really important three days that these first responders are going to get. It’s for them to make sure that they are safe and prepared, and for the community to know that your first responders know what they are doing and know how to do it,” Perez said.
