NCBRT Pilots Latest Course
April 13, 2016
The National Center for Biomedical Research and Training piloted its latest course,
Critical Decision Making for Complex Coordinated Attacks (CCA), in San Rafael, Calif.,
located in the San Francisco Bay area, on Mar. 8-9. The course was hosted by the Marin
County Sheriff's Office.
NCBRT developed this course to address the vulnerability of any community to a public safety situation, such as an active shooter at a shopping mall; a train derailment with hazardous chemicals; a bombing incident at a commercial district; a plane crash; or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive attack.
"After the Mumbai attacks it became a training issue, and the need has increased since the Paris and San Bernardino attacks," said NCBRT Associate Director Jerry Monier.
These attacks, known as complex coordinated attacks, or CCAs, involve multiple threats that often exceed conventional response tactics. These attacks require a joint response involving members from varying disciplines and jurisdictions.
"Complex coordinated attacks aren't just active shooter events. It involves all types of threats, and that requires us to look at how we respond," says Monier.
This course is taught through a combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises. Among the topics covered during the classroom instruction are characteristics of a CCA, public safety response considerations, command operations and strategies, and critical information about situational and domain awareness. Several notable case studies are presented to provide real-life examples of the characteristics of a CCA.
"As a commander, I have often thought about the possibility of coordinated attacks, and I have learned about area command. But having formal training that puts both concepts together, and allows for some tabletop practice, is very beneficial," said Police Lieutenant Andrew Rateaver with the Berkley Police Department, who was a participant at the pilot.
"It refocused my attention on these two particular subjects. Where previously I would not have put these two together automatically, now I will."
Featured practical exercises allow participants to interact with responders from other disciplines to effectively address a variety of CCA scenarios. Participants will work together to identify critical considerations and command strategies. Further, these exercises encourage collaborative decision-making and rapid strategizing.
"The instructors do a great job facilitating discussion and know how to get participants engaged," said NCBRT Director Jim Fernandez, who attended the pilot.
This course will enhance the response capabilities of participants by providing them with the knowledge and tools to enable effective response. By employing these tools and strategies, participants will be equipped to respond to and stop a CCA.
"The knowledge I gained in this class will be very helpful in my current job. So much so, I made written notes about the class and forwarded them on to my coworkers and line supervisors as well. The thing is, the techniques and strategies in the CCA class are not only useful in response to terrorist related incidents, but they can be applied to several other events as well," says Rateaver.
The CCA course is a two-day course for law enforcement, fire services, EMS, and those who are likely to assume command at some point during response to a CCA. NCBRT will begin offering this course later this year, and scheduling is open now.
"I would recommend this class to others, especially patrol commanders, tactical commanders and shift managers. Additionally, I have the benefit of working closely with our city fire department on training and exercises. We often have joint training together. I attended the CCA training with my counterpart in the fire department. It was beneficial for each having participated together. Not only can we pass the information out to our crews, but when an event actually happens, we are already schooled in CCA response," says Rateaver.
NCBRT courses are certified by the Department of Homeland Security and covered under DHS's Homeland Security National Training Program. As a DHS primary training provider, NCBRT can offer this vital training at no direct cost to your agency. Visit www.ncbrt.lsu.edu to learn more or to schedule this course.