Center for Domestic Preparedness

Center for Domestic Preparedness The CDP plays a leading role in preparing state, local and tribal emergency responders for manmade events or major accidents involving mass casualties.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) is the only Congressionally-chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training center for civilians. The CDP was established in 1998 and joined the FEMA team in 2007. The CDP occupies 124 acres of property, formerly used by the Department of Defense, located in Anniston, AL. The CDP operates the nation’s only toxic chemical agent training facility using

nerve agents and biological materials for civilian responders, and a fully scoped hospital used for training mass casualty incident management for healthcare and public health professionals. CDP training for state, local, and tribal responders is fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Snapshot: Emergency Response TrainingStudents from Piedmont University learn to triage and treat patients while wearing ...
02/14/2026

Snapshot: Emergency Response Training

Students from Piedmont University learn to triage and treat patients while wearing personal protective equipment during the Healthcare Emergency Response Operations for CBRNE Incidents (HERO) Course this week at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness. 60 nursing students took the one-day offering this week, learning to safely treat victims of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) incident, as well as how to properly put on, work in, and take off associated personal protective equipment. The course and its companion course, Emergency Medical Response Awareness for CBRNE Incidents, are part of the required curriculum for 12 nursing programs and are accredited by the Alabama Board of Nursing and International Association of Continuing Education and Training for 0.8 CEUs each. For additional information about the HERO Course, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-324.

Snapshot: Hazmat TrainingFirst responders learn technical decontamination procedures during Hazardous Material Operation...
02/12/2026

Snapshot: Hazmat Training

First responders learn technical decontamination procedures during Hazardous Material Operations training this week at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. The CDP’s five-day HMO course provides responders the information and skills required of operations-level HAZMAT technicians. The course is accredited by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training for 4 CEUs. For additional information about the HMO Course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-322.

Snapshot: Extrication TrainingThe Center for Domestic Preparedness' Field Force Extrication (FFE) course is designed to ...
02/12/2026

Snapshot: Extrication Training

The Center for Domestic Preparedness' Field Force Extrication (FFE) course is designed to teach responders techniques to defeat various devices protestors use to illegally block streets and buildings, prolonging public and private service disruptions and public freedom of movement. These techniques enable the removal of protestors from the devices in an expedient, but safe, manner to both the protestors and the extraction team. The FFE course discusses the 1st Amendment and other rights afforded to protestors by the US Constitution. The course culminates in a series of hands-on activities, allowing responders to practice skills in realistic scenarios. The course is accredited by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training for 2.4 CEUs. For additional information about the FFE Course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-202.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has released its resident training calendar for the months of April and May.H...
02/12/2026

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has released its resident training calendar for the months of April and May.

Hazardous materials offerings include the center’s Hazardous Materials Operations; Hazardous Materials Technician; Hazardous Materials Technologies: Sampling, Monitoring, and Detection; Respiratory Protection: Program Development and Administration; and Advanced Radiological Incident Operations courses.

The CDP’s Field Force Extrication Tactics and Field Force Operations courses are among the law enforcement offerings in April and May.

Healthcare courses scheduled include the Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents (HCL) and Hospital Emergency Response Training for Mass Casualty Incidents (HERT).

Each iteration of the HCL and HERT courses will culminate in an Integrated Capstone Event, a comprehensive exercise where students work together in response to simulated mass casualty incidents.

Additionally, the CDP will offer its Incident Command: Capabilities, Planning and Response Actions for All Hazards (IC) course in both April and May. The IC course is geared to management-level responders who may supervise hazardous material response incidents. Participants evaluate threats, identify and prioritize probable targets, measure required capabilities, and discuss the Incident Response Plan and Incident Action Plan processes.

Registration for these classes is currently open. To apply, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/training-calendar.

The CDP will host its annual Tribal Nations Training Week April 11-18. This year’s training tracks include hazardous materials training, healthcare courses, law enforcement training, cybersecurity awareness, community safety, emergency operations planning and explosives response. Contact [email protected] to register or for additional information.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness’ 2026 Law Enforcement National Security Week will be held on the center’s Anniston,...
02/06/2026

The Center for Domestic Preparedness’ 2026 Law Enforcement National Security Week will be held on the center’s Anniston, Alabama, campus the week of March 8 – 14.

The week of focused law enforcement training will begin with Law Enforcement Professional Development Day, followed by in-depth training tracks featuring training in multiple areas, including active threat response, mass casualty incident response and recovery, decontamination operations, civil disturbance mitigation and critical decision-making in an all-hazards event.

One training track incorporates the CDP’s Law Enforcement Protective Measures for Complex Incidents Course, which, paired with Intermediate Hands-On Training for CBRNE Incidents: Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement Response Actions for CBRNE Incidents, provides students with the knowledge and skills to safely perform law enforcement roles during incidents involving hazardous materials.

The training week will culminate in a hands-on, capstone exercise involving all students applying their newly acquired skills to resolve simulated scenarios involving protests, CBRNE incidents and terrorist threats in realistic training environments.

For additional information about the training week or to register for courses, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/theme-weeks/law-enforcement-national-security-week-2026. Special consideration will be given to those jurisdictions hosting or supporting World Cup events, the Olympics and the 2027 Super Bowl.

CDP training is completely funded for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders to include roundtrip airfare, meals, lodging, tuition and any equipment required during training.

Registration is now open for the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ (CDP) 11th annual Tribal Nations Training Week.The we...
01/30/2026

Registration is now open for the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ (CDP) 11th annual Tribal Nations Training Week.

The weeklong training event, which will be conducted April 11-18, is intended for state, local, tribal, and territorial responders who work in an emergency response capacity and are affiliated with one or more tribal nations or the Indian Health Service.

This year, for the first time, Tribal Nations Training Week will include a course track with entry into the CDP’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility. COBRATF is the only site in the nation where civilian responders can train with toxic chemical agents and biological materials.

The 2026 Tribal Nations Training Week will feature courses in 10 separate tracks: Cyber, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Emergency Response, Hazardous Materials, Law Enforcement, Community Safety (EMERGE), Tribal Emergency Operations Planning (COOP/EOP), Executive, Explosives, and Incident Command.

As in past years, the CDP will incorporate training from its various partners in FEMA, the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium.

CDP training is fully funded for state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency responders, to include roundtrip airfare, meals and lodging.

A FEMA student ID is needed for registration. To register for a FEMA SID number, go to: https://cdp.dhs.gov/FEMASID.

For additional information about Tribal Nations Training Week or to register, contact [email protected].

Snapshot: RP CourseResponders learn proper mask breakdown and cleaning techniques in this week’s Respiratory Protection:...
01/24/2026

Snapshot: RP Course

Responders learn proper mask breakdown and cleaning techniques in this week’s Respiratory Protection: Program Development and Administration Course at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. The three-day course provides students with the information and skills required to develop, implement, administer, and sustain a respiratory protection program compliant with laws and regulations regarding emergency response actions. For additional information about the RP Course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-263.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has seat openings in its Response to Controlled Dangerous Substances: Fentany...
01/23/2026

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has seat openings in its Response to Controlled Dangerous Substances: Fentanyl, Analogs and Pharmaceutical Based Agents (CDS) course in March.

CDS provides law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical personnel with the skills to identify situational risks and utilize personal protection in a controlled dangerous environment. Openings are available in the March 16 class.

For additional information on the courses or to apply for training, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-941 for the CDS Course.

Also in March, the CDP will host its Law Enforcement National Security Week. This week will feature training in active threat response, mass casualty incident response and recovery, decontamination operations, civil disturbance mitigation and critical decision-making. It will culminate in a large-scale exercise. For additional information or to register, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/theme-weeks/law-enforcement-national-security-week-2026.

For a full list of available training, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/training-calendar.

CDP training is completely funded for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders to include roundtrip airfare, meals, and lodging.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has released its resident training calendar for the month of April.Healthcare...
01/16/2026

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has released its resident training calendar for the month of April.

Healthcare courses being offered include the Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents (HCL) and Hospital Emergency Response Training for Mass Casualty Incidents (HERT).

Each iteration of the HCL and HERT courses will culminate in an Integrated Capstone Event, a comprehensive exercise where students work together to respond to simulated mass casualty incidents.

The CDP’s Field Force Extrication Tactics and Field Force Operations courses are also being offered in April.

Hazardous materials offerings include the center’s Hazardous Materials Technologies: Sampling, Monitoring, and Detection; Hazardous Materials Operations; and Hazardous Materials Technician courses.

Additionally, the CDP will offer its Incident Command: Capabilities, Planning and Response Actions for All Hazards (IC) course in April. The IC course is geared to management-level responders who may supervise hazardous material response incidents. Participants evaluate threats, identify and prioritize probable targets, measure required capabilities, and discuss the Incident Response Plan and Incident Action Plan processes.

Registration for these classes is currently open. To apply, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/training-calendar.

The CDP will host its annual Tribal Nations Training Week April 11-18. This year’s training tracks include hazardous materials training, healthcare courses, law enforcement training, cybersecurity awareness, community safety, emergency operations planning and explosives response. Registration is scheduled to open later this month. Contact [email protected] for additional information.

Snapshot: Hazmat Response TrainingResponders assess and mitigate simulated hazardous material leaks in this week’s Hazar...
01/10/2026

Snapshot: Hazmat Response Training

Responders assess and mitigate simulated hazardous material leaks in this week’s Hazardous Materials Technician Course at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. The five-day course instructs participants to respond safely and effectively to incidents at the hazardous materials technician level. For additional information about the HMT Course or to register for future iterations, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/PER-272.

Registration is currently open for the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ 2026 Law Enforcement National Security Week, fe...
01/09/2026

Registration is currently open for the Center for Domestic Preparedness’ 2026 Law Enforcement National Security Week, featuring training in multiple areas, including active threat response, mass casualty incident response and recovery, decontamination operations, civil disturbance mitigation and critical decision-making in an all-hazards event.

The training will be held on the CDP’s Anniston, Alabama, campus the week of March 8 – 14. It will begin with a Law Enforcement Professional Development Day, followed by training tracks which include Public Order, Active Shooter and CBRNE training for Law Enforcement.

The training week will culminate in a hands-on exercise involving all students applying their newly acquired skills to resolve simulated scenarios involving protests, CBRNE incidents and terrorist threats in realistic training environments.

For additional information about the training week or to register for courses, visit: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/theme-weeks/law-enforcement-national-security-week-2026. Special consideration will be given to those jurisdictions hosting or supporting World Cup events, the Olympics and the 2027 Super Bowl.

CDP training is completely funded for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency responders to include roundtrip airfare, meals, lodging, tuition and any equipment required during training.

Address

61 Responder Drive
Anniston, AL
36205

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+12568472300

Website

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