News
May 18, 2007
Contact: Suzy Ames, Director of Communications, SBCTC, 360-704-4310
New ferry training available for emergency responders
OLYMPIA – Puget Sound residents are highly dependent on their ferry systems. Ferries are vulnerable to terrorist attacks, accidents and natural disasters. An Al Qaeda operative was captured at a Washington state ferry terminal with a trunk of nitroglycerine. A British Columbia ferry ran aground last year resulting in loss of life and the need for unanticipated local response.
A new federal and state-approved course designed for all emergency response organizations will help answer the question “What do all responders need to know to allow them to react quickly and effectively to a disaster or attack on a ferry?”
“The target audience is responders from all disciplines,” said John Fortugno, director of the Homeland Security Institute. “Professionals and volunteers from all emergency response organizations will work better as a team if they share a common understanding of the challenges they are likely to face.”
Washington State’s Homeland Security Institute (a unit of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges), in partnership with the Washington State Patrol (Vessel and Terminal Security Division), and the Readiness Response Institute (Olympic College) is offering this brand new Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Responder Interface with Ferry Systems course at a number of Puget Sound venues in August and September. In addition to the half-day course, there are also full-day train-the-trainer opportunities.
The class consists of four modules: 1) Maritime Terrorism Awareness; 2) Ferry Vessels and the Maritime Environment; 3) Tactical Considerations; and 4) Command and Policy Considerations.
For more information contact Sherrie Sibbett at (360) 704-4363; or by email at ssibbett@sbctc.edu. Responders may also visit HSI.WA.GOV to learn more about the course.
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