COBRA Training Facility begins bay upgrades

This week, the Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF) at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) began installation of vinyl wall coverings for new scenarios in its training bays.

The COBRATF is the only location in the country where civilian responders train with hazardous biological substances and chemical agents. Earlier this year, training in the agent bays was suspended, allowing the center to decontaminate the bays for the safety of general contractors working on updates to the facility.

In addition to the new, more immersive, scenarios being installed in the COBRATF, other improvements at the center have included upgraded hot water and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems as well as new controls for monitoring agent concentration levels, which provide an increased measure of safety.

Installation in the bays is expected to be completed next month and training in the COBRATF is expected to resume before the end of the year.