COBRA Training Facility passes annual compliance inspection

The Center for Domestic Preparedness’ Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF) this week (June 1-5) learned that it had passed its annual Chemical Agent Standard Analytical Reference Material (CASARM) audit by the U.S. Army’s Chemical Biological Center.

The Army center is the nation’s principal research and development authority for non-medical chemical and biological defense.

The audit is one of a number of routine examinations of the facility by experts from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and others.  It determines if the COBRATF’s quality management system is in compliance with the Army’s quality assurance plan and aligned with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.

Because of COVID-19, this year’s CASARM audit was conducted virtually over a two-week period. It included an extensive review of various administrative documents the inspection team was provided in advance, as well as online discussions between inspectors and COBRAFT staff about the facility’s operational processes. COBRATF staff also virtually escorted the inspectors around the site so they could examine the physical training structure. 

“We asked to be audited in the virtual format so we could get the assessment of our programs on time. We did not want to take a chance that our audit would become out-of-date,” said Gary Milner, assistant director of the COBRATF.

“The audit team did a very thorough review, and our staff delivered as well. We’re pleased with the outcome and honored to be the CBC’s first ever virtual audit customer,” he added.

In a typical year, the CDP trains up to 2,500 civilian first responders to detect and safely operate in environments with chemical, biological and nuclear materials. It offers the only civilian training courses in the nation featuring live chemical agents such as GB and VX, and biological materials such as ricin and anthrax. The training increases students’ confidence to deal with hazardous substances during a real-world attack or other incident.