The Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) at New Mexico Tech in Socorro , NM , conducts training for first responders under a cooperative agreement with the Department of Homeland Security.  The focus of our training is bombing incident response.  We offer two resident training courses—Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings (IRTB) and Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents (PRSBI).

Both courses have been approved by the Department of Homeland Security and are provided to first responders in the public sector at state and local levels at no cost to the participant or his/her agency.  Classes are scheduled throughout the year and we can normally accommodate preferences of participants in the scheduling process to support departmental and personal considerations.  We also have the ability to schedule SWAT teams for the PRSBI course where they are used as assets during the practical exercise.

The IRTB is a 3 ½ day program, with classes running from Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday on training weeks.  The PRSBI is a 4 ½ day program, with classes running from Monday through Friday on training weeks.  Graduates of these courses who are certified by their departments as trainers are authorized to teach a ½ day awareness course in both subject areas to first responders in their agencies.  Training materials to support local implementation are also provided at no cost to the agency.   

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) pose a critical threat to communities throughout the U.S.   Despite the focus of preparedness activity on large communities on the east and west coasts, the bombing in Oklahoma City and several smaller attacks clearly establish that terrorists will sometimes look beyond major cities and target locations that otherwise would appear safe.  Recent experiences also suggest that such attacks are likely to involve conventional explosives—the WMD addressed in EMRTC courses.

You can review information concerning our courses, dates of training, application procedures, etc. on our website http://respond.emrtc.nmt.edu or contact our course scheduling manager, Richard Campbell, at (505) 835-5917, or rcampbell@emrtc.nmt.edu.

All applications from first responders must be approved by your state point of contact ( Maryland : Erin Valentine) which are identified on our web site listed above.

Our program will train first responders in your agency to respond safely and effectively to bombing incidents (bomb threats, suspicious items, or executed attacks).  We look forward to providing support for your agency.