Troopers Trained in Domestic Preparedness Response

NASHVILLE --- Thirty-three Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers recently completed homeland security training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), located in Anniston, Alabama. The CDP is operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is the only federally-chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training facility in the nation.

Mobile Field Force Law Enforcement Strike Team Troopers from all eight THP districts across the state underwent the week-long domestic preparedness training. Strike Teams respond to incidents that call for special training and added manpower. Incidents include disasters, manhunts, search & rescue and traffic crashes involving hazardous materials. (A photo of the Strike Team members is attached along with this news release and a list of the trainees by THP district appears below)

Troopers and first responders attending CDP training are specially selected from the nation’s 11 million emergency responders. Training at the CDP ensures that responders gain the critical skills and confidence to effectively respond to local incidents or potential WMD incidents.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness provides federally-funded, interdisciplinary training for emergency responders from across the United States and U.S. Territories, for 10 responder disciplines: Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Service, Fire Service, Governmental Administrative, Hazardous Materials, Healthcare, Law Enforcement, Public Health, Public Safety Communications, and Public Works.

Many training courses culminate at the CDP’s Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological Training Facility, the nation’s only facility featuring civilian training exercises in a true toxic environment, by using chemical agents. The advanced hands-on training enables first responders to effectively prevent, respond to, and recover from real-world incidents involving acts of terrorism and other hazardous materials.

Additional information about CDP training programs can be found at http://cdp.dhs.gov. For more information, contact Kathy wood, CDP Communications Director, at 256-847-2316 or Kathy.wood@dhs.gov.

THP TROOPERS WHO ATTENDED HOMELAND SECURITY DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS TRAINING

Dist. 9 (Administration/Training)
Robert Bighem
Steven Lowery

Dist. 1 (Knoxville)
Johnny McDonald
Kevin Smith
Carey Hixson
Aaron Evans

Dist. 2 (Chattanooga)
Timothy Spicer
Williams Collins
Terrence Gann
William Patterson

Dist. 3 (Nashville)
Richard Cash
Arthur Joe Williams
Travis Plotzer
Michael Morgan

Dist. 4 (Memphis)
Gregory Obie
Johnny Briley
William Butler
Anthony Sherron

Dist. 5 (Fall Branch)
Tommy Boone
Gregory Marlowe
Robert Johnson
Tyler Hall

District 6 (Cookeville)
Brian Lawson
James Sells
Michael Williams
Chris Adams

District 7 (Lawrenceburg)
Johnny Hunter
Jeffrey Webb
Steve Karpati
Charles David McVey

District 8 (Jackson)
John Dunaway
Chris Moeller
Joseph Armstrong





The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.