The Cheesequake Fire Company brings to Old Bridge on Nov. 8 the area's first-ever bombings prevention and response training for emergency personnel. "Our goal was to put this out for firefighters, but others registered so we opened it up," to others both in Old Bridge and the county, according to...
The Cheesequake Fire Company brings to Old Bridge on Nov. 8 the area's first-ever bombings prevention and response training for emergency personnel. "Our goal was to put this out for firefighters, but others registered so we opened it up," to others both in Old Bridge and the county, according to Capt. Joseph Ganci. In addition to firefighters, local and county police departments, emergency medical technicians, Office of Emergency Management employees, and more can participate. The course includes how to evaluate and deter threats, shelter-in-place decisions and response priorities in case of a bombing. Lectures, tabletop exercises and videos will be part of the training, led by instructors from New Mexico Tech Energetic Materials Research & Testing Center (NMT/EMRTC). The center is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), an alliance sponsored through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Directorate to provide training for emergency responders throughout the United States and its territories. Ganci, Firefighter and Trainer Lisa Lent, and others from the fire company attended a similar weeklong session for firefighters at New Mexico Tech. The training was so informative that the Cheesequake firefighters decided to arrange for a local, condensed training. "It's hard for people to get away for a week," said Ganci, so they arranged a daylong training in two parts of about four hours each. At New Mexico Tech, firefighters used virtual reality to walk through a home and other scenes. "We ran through scenarios about reducing the threat level" and handling threats, said Ganci. "It was a real look at real target scenarios." Ganci said the training will give insight into incorporating awareness and being alert at sites as to potential bomb hazards. "We hope to never use it," he said of the training, but there's more to be aware of than most realize. Lent said that as a trainer, she seeks out ways to make people more knowledgeable as well as to network. "We have a lot of amazing volunteers and emergency personnel," she said. "We're constantly looking for ways to educate people, especially for free." FEMA fully funds the training both at New Mexico Tech and locally, that so far 50 people have registered to attend. Participants must bring a laptop, tablet or smartphone and may attend one or both sessions. The Response to Bomb Incidents session is 8 a.m.-noon and the Prevention of Bomb Incidents session is 1-5 p.m. For additional information, contact lisa@cheesequakefire.com or ganci23 @gmail.com.