The National Terrorism Preparedness Institute Live Online Meeting

Join CoMNET on Wednesday 25 August, 2004 at 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT for this in-depth live online meeting.

CoMNET is the product of an interagency program effort from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), bringing together the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) and the FEMA’s Emergency Education Network (EENET).  CoMNET is produced by the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute, a division of the Southeastern Public Safety Institute at St. Petersburg, Florida.  Additional support is furnished by the Army National Guard and the US Army Satellite Education Network (SEN) at Ft. Lee, Va.

The key components of the live online meeting are:

Coordinating the Development of Plans, Procedures and Protocols:  In order to carry out the provisions of Federal and State law, Emergency Management Plans must be developed.  A team approach when developing emergency management plans is valuable to incorporate existing procedures and response protocols.  CoMNET explains how to implement an agency’s emergency operations plan and how to integrate that plan with other local and regional emergency response plans in a WMD event.

Developing Mutual Aid Protocols:  Mutual aid agreements are designed to assist jurisdictions when their own resources are inadequate.  Signing mutual aid agreements means that a jurisdiction’s agencies may request assistance or may be asked for assistance during emergency situations, including WMD incidents.  CoMNET explores how to develop and assist in the implementation of mutual aid protocols for WMD incidents.  Also, knowing how to interface and integrate with local and regional emergency response organizations in a WMD event will be discussed.

Recognize Types of Agents:  In order to maximize life safety, it is critical that first responders know how to recognize types of agents.  CoMNET describes terminology and toxicology that can aid first responders in identifying chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents.

Understanding the Use and Capability of Detection Equipment:  The detection of weapons of mass destruction is not easy.  CoMNET stresses the importance of first responders knowing how to use detection equipment, how to read results and calibrate direct reading instruments, and how to recognize WMD agents through results obtained when responding to acts of terrorism.

Click here to register for the live online meeting.