From January 24th through January 28, 2000, the Lincoln Fire Department participated in Domestic Preparedness Training. The DPT initiative was established under the FY 1997 Defense Authority Bill (P.L. 104-201, September 23, 1996) commonly called the Domenici legislation. This legislation provides funding for the Department of Defense to enhance the capability of federal, state, and local emergency responders in incidents involving nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism. Lincoln was one of only 120 cities expected to participate in this advanced training program.

The training consisted of courses relevant to the needs of Lincoln and were developed to provide additional information and skills required when responding to incidents of NBS terrorism. The domestic Preparedness program is structured as a train-the-trainer program designed to prepare city trainers to provide similar instruction to emergency response personnel. Lincoln Fire Department participated in six courses during the week. Training included:

Emergency Responder Awareness - Trainers were given information critical to recognizing characteristics of a terrorist threat, recognizing an NBC incident, potential dissemination devices, individual protective measures and appropriate responder actions.

Emergency Responder Operations - Trainers were provided information in responder actions under the Incident Command system, chemical downwind hazard prediction, personal protection requirements, and emergency decontamination procedures for victims and responders.

HazMat Technician Trainers were provided hands on experiences with an NBC terrorist threat, knowledge of chemical and biological agents, physiological and psychological effects of c/b agents, first aid and decontamination of NBC hazard, operation of field equipment and use of personal protective equipment.

Technical-Hospital Provider - Trainers were provided information to diagnose and treat victims of NBC terrorist incidents, including mass casualty considerations.

Incident Command - Trainers were provided information on decision making relevant to an NBC terrorist incident site and coordination of the response resources.

The week long training concluded on January 28th with a Domestic Preparedness Chemical table top exercise. The exercise was a simulation of a terrorist chemical WMD incident that allowed the participants to evaluate current weapons of mass destruction response concepts and plans, as well as other Emergency Operations Protocols. There was an emphasis on emergency response coordination, resource integration, problem identification and resolution. The objectives of the exercise were to improve understanding of the response concept, identify opportunities or problems, and/or achieve a change in attitude toward responding to terrorist events. Sixty-four members of the Lincoln Fire Department participated in the week long training program and will be responsible for implementing this training. They will in turn be providing instruction on all aspects of disaster response to the entire department with training classes scheduled throughout the year.