Lampasan attends recent training course in Alabama

Agricultural Emergency Response Training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala., provides an overview of agro-terrorism. Trainees experience practical exercises that require the wearing of proper equipment and the handling of livestock. Robert McIlroy of Lampasas recently completed the training for emergency responders.

Emergency responder Robert McIlroy of Lampasas, representing the Texas Animal Health Commission, recently completed Homeland Security training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala. 

McIlroy attended the WMD Basic Agricultural Emergency Response Training course that provides the agricultural and traditional emergency responder with an overview of agro-terrorism and hazards in the agricultural sector.

Training culminated with a scenario driven practical exercise involving a response to a hazardous event. The final exercise was delivered at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

The course is unique and puts the response provider in an element that requires the wearing of proper equipment and the handling of livestock.

The center in Anniston offers the only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.

McIlroy was selected from the nation's 11 million emergency responders. Training ensures that responders gain critical skills and confidence to be better prepared to effectively respond to local incidents or potential WMD events.