COBRA Training Facility receives highest rating in annual compliance inspection

The U.S. Army’s Chemical Biological Center concluded its 2021 Chemical Agent Standard Analytical Reference Material (CASARM) audit of the CDP’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility (COBRATF) last week by awarding the site its highest designation of ‘no corrective actions needed.’

The Army center is the nation’s principal research and development authority for non-medical chemical and biological defense. Because of the nature of its activity, the COBRATF undergoes routine compliance inspections by experts from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and others.

“Since there are no non-conformances, the registration of the quality system for chemical agent air monitoring at the COBRATF is being renewed,” the audit report stated.

Three commendations were noted in the report, including one for the entire COBRATF staff for its ‘diligence and knowledge throughout the audit.’ Two members of the staff also received individual praise for their ‘expertise and assistance’ during the inspection.

This is the second year the CASARM audit was conducted virtually due to COVID-19.

The assessment consisted of a review of administrative documents the CDP provided to the inspection team in advance, phone and online interviews with COBRATF staff about the facility’s operational processes, and a virtual tour of the facility, which enabled inspectors to examine the physical structure from their offices in Maryland.

The CDP trains up to 2,500 civilian first responders a year 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 (Ricin A Chain) and anthrax (Bacillus anthracis delta Sterne). The training increases students’ confidence to deal with these and other hazardous substances during a real-world attack or other incident.