First response trainingNew training facility features simulated bus, air, and rail stations
On Tuesday DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano was in Brunswick, Georgia for the grand opening of a sophisticated new $5.3 million counter-terrorism training center for law enforcement officials; the 22,000 square-foot facility features several simulation areas including a mock bus terminal, subway station, and an airport terminal
Training in simulated airliner // Source: publicradio.org
On Tuesday DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano was in Brunswick, Georgia for the grand opening of a sophisticated new $5.3 million counter-terrorism training center for law enforcement officials.
The new Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) site is designed to give local, state, and federal law enforcement officials an opportunity to conduct realistic hands-on training. The 22,000 square-foot facility features several simulation areas including a mock bus terminal, subway station, and an airport terminal replete with security checkpoints, baggage claim, food court, and even a boarding bridge to a 727 jet.
“Anything they can find out there, they can find in here,” said Jennifer Ranger, the branch chief of FLETC’s Counterterrorism Division. “This facility is designed to create real-world training not just for counterterrorism but for all law enforcement.”
Ranger added that the simulated environments will better teach officers what to look for and how to respond in real-life situations.
FLETC’s new facility is the latest component of DHS’s counter-terrorism training program for law enforcement officials and Secretary Napolitano said the facility played a critical role in preventing another 9/11.
“The whole idea is to make sure that we have the best training bar for those who are charged with the mission of protecting the American homeland and all which that entails,” said Napolitano. “I’m confident in saying now, almost 10 years later, we’re a stronger nation, a better prepared nation when it comes to detecting and preventing terrorism and a better trained law enforcement nation.”
On her tour of the facility, Napolitano watched a hazardous materials team conduct a demonstration at the facility’s rail yard.
“The American public is increasingly going to be satisfied that they have and will maintain the safest transportation systems in the world and that we will not have another 9/11 on our watch,” Napolitano said. “It’s not going to happen.”
The new center is dedicated in memory of Christine Lee Hanson, who at two years-old, was the youngest victim killed in the 9/11 attacks when United Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
Her photo hangs in the new facility, and Lee Hanson, Christine’s grandfather who was on hand for the ceremony, said the portrait is a reminder of the innocent lives lost that day.
