FEMA Trains 700 Responders On Homeland Security Equipment At New Orleans Conference 

Release Date: June 5, 2007
Release Number: FNF-07-029

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Last week, more than 700 emergency responders from 47 states and Puerto Rico traveled to New Orleans to receive training on equipment their departments will receive through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fiscal Year 2006 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). This included representatives from 19 departments who recieved accelerated training and equipment delivery because they were located in areas at high risk for hurricanes, tornados, or wildfires.

The CEDAP Training Conference was held at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, from Tuesday, May 29, through Friday, June 1. Representatives from the 19 “high-risk” departments recieved training on equipment to improve incident communications, either an incident commanders’ radio interface or radio interoperability system. Other responders trained on thermal imagers, devices used to detect humans and other warm-blooded creatures through building walls, a smoke-filled room, or in darkness.

CEDAP helps meet the equipment needs of smaller jurisdictions and eligible metropolitan areas by providing communications interoperability, information sharing, chemical detection, sensors, personal protective equipment, and other devices. Training and technical assistance are provided at the time technologies are delivered and transferred under the program to ensure recipients will be able to use awarded systems and devices fully and correctly.

Responders who recieved CEDAP training last week in New Orleans successfully competed with over 7,000 organizations for one of the 2,001 equipment and training awards made through the Fiscal Year 2006 program. More than $34.6 million in FY 2006 equipment and training awards were announced in March. Since its inception in Fiscal Year 2005, more than $69.7 million in equipment and equipment training has been awarded through CEDAP to law enforcement agencies, fire, and other emergency responders.

For further information on CEDAP and other DHS programs, visit www.dhs.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Jun-2007 16:39:59