Work continues on COBRA enhancements

Work continued this week at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness on several projects to update and upgrade its Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological (COBRA) Training Facility.

The enhancements involve multiple areas of the facility – its outdoor and indoor training venues; HVAC and hot water systems; and safety and security equipment.

Currently, the bays where training with nerve agents and biological materials is conducted, are being prepped for the installation of materials that will depict more modern scenes and create a more immersive training environment for students.

Outside, a new multi-purpose building is under construction. It be used for training during inclement weather, as well as a place for additional equipment storage.

Throughout the COBRA Training Facility, improvements have recently been completed or are underway to make the site more energy efficient. The boiler hot water system has been replaced and motors for the HVAC system are in the process of being updated.

Meanwhile, a recently installed camera system provides better visibility of the entire site for both security personnel and those overseeing training operations from its master control room.

Work on most of the training bays and the new multipurpose building should be complete late this summer.  

In a typical year, up 2,500 responders train at the COBRA facility. It is the only place in the country where civilian responders train with biological materials and toxic chemical agents.