COBRA resumes training with nerve agents, biological materials

The Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF) at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has resumed training with nerve agents and biological materials. 

This week’s Respiratory Protection: Program Development and Administration class is the first to enter the COBRA’s training bays since March. Training with nerve agents and biological materials was suspended at that time to allow for upgrades to be made to the bays. 

The initial phase of the project — placing vinyl wall coverings in the six bays — was completed last month. In early 2023, the CDP will again suspend training to incorporate additional materials into the bays and finalize each scenario. 

In a typical year, the CDP trains up to 2,500 civilian first responders to detect and safely operate in environments with hazardous materials. It offers the only civilian training courses in the nation with actual chemical agents and biological materials, which increase responders’ confidence to deal with these and other hazardous substances during a real-world incident.