Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program (BTCDP)

The Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program (BTCDP) provides funds via cooperative agreements to educational institutions to develop emergency preparedness training curricula for health care professionals and other first responders.  When the program started in 2002, it focused on bioterrorism training; however, since 2006 training has focused on all types of hazards, including other forms of terrorism (e.g., the use of chemical, explosive, incendiary or nuclear agents against civilian populations), natural disasters, and any type of public health emergency.

The goal of BTCDP is to develop a competent healthcare workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

1. recognize indications of a terrorist event;
2. meet the acute care needs of patients, including pediatric and other vulnerable populations, in a safe and appropriate manner;
3. participate in local, regional, statewide, and national response; and
4. rapidly and effectively alert the public health system regarding any public health emergencies.

Authorizing Legislation

The Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program was created with the passage of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.  The legislative authority for the BTCDP is the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 319F(g), 42 U.S.C. 247d-6. 

The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 transferred the BTCDP from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) effective March 1, 2007.  The BTCDP was re-authorized under Section 304 Core Education and Training part (a) subsections (1) through (5) of PL 109-417.