COBRA Training Facility plans final bay upgrades

The final phase of upgrades to bays at the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ (CDP’s) Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF) is expected to begin in May.

The upgrades began in early 2022, when the bays were closed and decontaminated to allow general contractors to safely work in the area.

The first phase of vinyl installation began in late October. The vinyl and associated props will transform the bays into different scenes, from a subway platform to a bar with an underground lab, and create an immersive training experience for responders.

The upgrades are anticipated to cost $3 million over the two-year span of the project.

In a typical year, nearly 2,500 responders train at the COBRATF, which is the only place in the nation where civilian responders can train with chemical agents and toxic biological materials. The training increases the responders’ confidence to deal with these and other hazardous substances during real-world incidents.